KENNEBUNK, Maine — Town officials met with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Wednesday to survey the damage to the roads and seawall at Kennebunk Beach caused by several recent nor’easter storms.
Beach Avenue and several adjoining residential streets saw significant flooding and storm damage during the relentless nor’easter that battered the seacoast during the first weekend in March.
The nor’easter coincided with an astronomical high tide, and each high tide cycle brought waves crashing over seawalls, and flood waters flowing over roadways and into low-lying residents and businesses.
Kennebunk Town Manager Mike Pardue said preliminary estimates for the cost of the damage are “nudging $800,000 and could go higher.”
Repairs will be needed to sidewalks, the seawall and roadways including Beach Avenue, Surf Lane and Boothby Road, Pardue said there was damage to each of the three beaches, Gooch’s, Middle and Mother’s. The sidewalk at Gooch’s Beach has crumbled and dropped several feet.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage is expected to seek a disaster declaration for the state which would clear the way for FEMA funds to help towns pay for the costly repairs.
“This could be a several months long process,” Pardue said. “We will begin to clean and restore areas to make them serviceable, recognizing that while it may not feel like it right now, summer is coming.”
Pardue said crews will make temporary repairs, and then apply for FEMA funds to do the permanent work.
Meanwhile, Pardue and town officials are hoping for no additional storm damage this spring.
“We are extremely vulnerable,” Pardue said.
Follow the Bangor Daily News on Facebook for the latest Maine news.