The Jan. 10 storm that combined heavy winds, rain, snow melt, and a massive tide surge resulted in a disaster for Maine's working waterfront, and the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association is urging Mainers report damages and losses.

“We have not experienced this level of destruction since the 1970s,” the nonprofit, which is based in Brunswick, said. “Docks and wharfs have completely disappeared, sunk, or are floating in the nearby waters. Pilings have been dislodged, and equipment flooded and lost. Infrastructure that has existed and been invested in for centuries was demolished in a matter of hours. 

“We don't know what the short or long term answers are. What we do know is that we must quickly understand the scale of this impact and report damages and losses.”

The Maine Coastal Fishermen’s Association issued an update Jan. 11 to an earlier advisory. The nonprofit said:

Working Waterfront Storm Damage Reporting UPDATE 

Today, we shared that individuals and businesses whose working waterfront or fishing businesses were impacted by the recent storm should share those impacts and losses with their local municipality.

The response was so overwhelming that the Maine Emergency Management Agency has stepped in to help streamline the reporting process by providing an online survey to fill out instead of calling your local town hall.

"It is imperative that individuals of private industry and privately owned commercial infrastructure who sustained property damage from the January 10th storm, including wharfs, floats, vessels, etc. document and report that damage." Commissioner Keliher (Department of Marine Resources)

HOW TO REPORT DAMAGE

The online Initial Damage Assessment Survey can be found HERE.

This is not an application for assistance nor a guarantee of financial assistance. Submission of damage information will help the State of Maine understand the extent of damage from the January 10 storm. 

Individuals who sustained damages to their primary residence are encouraged to document and report that damage by filling out the Individuals & Households Initial Damage Assessment Survey (HERE).

MCFA will be updating its website and Facebook with information and links. 

The amount of detritus in the water is also creating unsafe navigation.  Be aware of floating planks and pilings. Please stay alert and safe.