Coastal Conversations Radio Program: Waterfront communities prepare for climate change impacts

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

photo of a storm in Stonington — Stonington, Maine.

December 23, 2016 Coastal Conversations

Coastal Conversations show: December 23, 2016
WERU 89.9 in Blue Hill and 99.9 in Bangor
Host: Natalie Springuel, Maine Sea Grant

Listen to the show on WERU archives

In recent years, increasing storms and flooding have wreaked havoc on waterfront infrastructure like piers, wharves, roads, waterfront businesses and homes. Emergency preparedness is also at risk because evacuation routes sometimes run right through the flood zone. What can Maine towns do to prepare for waterfront challenges brought on by climate change?

On our next program, we will explore how climate change is impacting Maine working waterfront communities, and what tools municipalities can use to prepare for and adapt to these changes.

Guests

Judy East, Washington County Council of Governments
Tora Johnson, University of Maine at Machias
Jennifer Curtis, Maine Floodplain Management Program
Pete Slovinsky, Maine Geological Survey

More information and tools described on the show

Maps and visual scenarios
Washington county inundation scenarios
Maine Potential sea level rise and storm surge inundation viewer (Highest Annual Tide 1, 2, 3.3, and 6 ft SLR)
Maine Highest Annual Tide (HAT) Line viewer
Maine Flood Hazard Map and Maine floodplain map updates
Maine Sea, Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) outputs for Category 1-4 events in Maine
Maine National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer

Programs, agencies, models, and tools
Maine Floodplain Management Program
FEMA (Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration) Office of Insurance Advocate
Damariscotta Floodplain Management Ordinance
Bowdoin Comprehensive Plan
Municipal Planning and Assistance Program
Washington County Rain Gauges Expansion Program
Maine Property Owner’s Guide to Managing Flooding, Erosion & Other Coastal Hazards
Vermont’s Roadmap to Resilience, Preparing for Natural Disasters and the Effects of Climate Change in the Green Mountain State
Lessons Learned from Irene: Climate Change, Federal Disaster Relief, and Barriers to Adaptive Reconstruction

Funding sources
Water Bond (described on the show as the Culvert funds)
Shore and Harbor Grant
Coastal Communities Grant

Listen to the show on WERU archives
More information about Coastal Conversations Radio Program

UMaine Alert

Maine Sea Grant