2024 Winter Storm Findings
Popham Chapel Storm Center Findings
1. What Worked?
a. Not much
b. Local people with trucks and plows
- Chris Doughty provided outstanding help
- Pine Tree Weather Alert worked well, but few of us knew about this service
- Pine Tree Weather Alert was invaluable for planning to get rocks in place before buildings were lost.
2. What felt broken?
a . No local warning of coming storm(s)
b. Influx of curiosity seekers into our roads that became stuck in flooding, and parked blocking roadways for incoming workers.
c. No ability to get local Emergency Responders.
- Need reliable phone communications
- Local phones out
- Internet and wireless phone not available for individuals or households
- Ability for each household to utilize internet and wireless services
d. Unknown that a second storm just as bad as the first would follow within 3 days of the first storm
e. 2-3 feet of water over roadways
f. Residents were not sure what to do for a long time
g. Docks floating in streets
h. No way to exit town after first storm, so really trapped for second storm
i. Surf St. was filled with debris
j. Second storm brought in 2 ½ feet thick logs that were 30 feet long
3. What is needed before the next storm?
a. A registry of local aged and infirm seniors that might need mobility assistance and removal to a relief center (name, location, phone numbers, email, addresses, etc.)
b. A local relocation evacuation plan
- What is available?
- Who are the providers?
- Who are the first responders?
- Who will be the responsible leader with a “contact tree”?
c. Identify local licensed armature radio operators who can support/assist emergency response resources.
- Have an annual resident meeting with them to review services they can offer.
- Maintain an up to date contact list for these operators and distribute to all residents
d. Hold an annual internet and wireless usage seminar for every resident.
e. Hold an annual “Meet your First Responders” social with local First Responders and residents perhaps in conjunction with the Popham Beach Library.
4. What are you most worried about?
a. Aging people stuck here.
b. Ability to get first responders here.
c. No reliable useable form of communications.
d. Not having a reliable alert system
- Fire
- Flood
- Etc
e. Creating a readily available Emergency Response Plan/program that is well known by all.
f. Creating an evacuation plan for each resident.
5. Was this meeting a valuable, meaningful exercise?
a. Holding this meeting was a great idea
b. Popham Chapel is a valuable, proactive community service organization
6. Action steps we can take as a community
a. Fix the problems above so we can be prepared to face similar storms like these two again:
- Publish and distribute to all residents (residential and tourist) our local Emergency Response Plan/resources.
- Keep a supply of copies of this Local Emergency Response Plan/resources in library for all who want a copy at no charge.
- Hold annual Emergency Response overview session with residents. Distribute and discuss our local Emergency Response Plan /resources.
- Need a registry of property owners with their name, address, phone, email.
- Make a list of the “away” property owners and and how to contact them.
- Make a local “who to call” list of helpers with services they can offer such as plumbing, electrical, heating, plowing, labor.
7. Next steps:
a. Document and summarize in the near future comments and information shared tonight with those who attended.
b. Hold an update meeting to share the results of this first meeting.
c. Organize a permanent local task force within Popham Beach to manage and monitor our desired Emergency Response Plan.
d. Formalize a documented Emergency Response Plan and make it available to all who come to Popham Beach.
e. Contact Sagadahoc County Emergency Alert System for assistance.
f. Check the Phippsburg Town Planning Board for their “Comprehensive Plan”.
g. Locate the “209 Plan” and its timeline to raise the road where it bends toward the Chapel.
h. Investigate what are dune restorations that work.
1. What Worked?
a. Not much
b. Local people with trucks and plows
- Chris Doughty provided outstanding help
- Pine Tree Weather Alert worked well, but few of us knew about this service
- Pine Tree Weather Alert was invaluable for planning to get rocks in place before buildings were lost.
2. What felt broken?
a . No local warning of coming storm(s)
b. Influx of curiosity seekers into our roads that became stuck in flooding, and parked blocking roadways for incoming workers.
c. No ability to get local Emergency Responders.
- Need reliable phone communications
- Local phones out
- Internet and wireless phone not available for individuals or households
- Ability for each household to utilize internet and wireless services
d. Unknown that a second storm just as bad as the first would follow within 3 days of the first storm
e. 2-3 feet of water over roadways
f. Residents were not sure what to do for a long time
g. Docks floating in streets
h. No way to exit town after first storm, so really trapped for second storm
i. Surf St. was filled with debris
j. Second storm brought in 2 ½ feet thick logs that were 30 feet long
3. What is needed before the next storm?
a. A registry of local aged and infirm seniors that might need mobility assistance and removal to a relief center (name, location, phone numbers, email, addresses, etc.)
b. A local relocation evacuation plan
- What is available?
- Who are the providers?
- Who are the first responders?
- Who will be the responsible leader with a “contact tree”?
c. Identify local licensed armature radio operators who can support/assist emergency response resources.
- Have an annual resident meeting with them to review services they can offer.
- Maintain an up to date contact list for these operators and distribute to all residents
d. Hold an annual internet and wireless usage seminar for every resident.
e. Hold an annual “Meet your First Responders” social with local First Responders and residents perhaps in conjunction with the Popham Beach Library.
4. What are you most worried about?
a. Aging people stuck here.
b. Ability to get first responders here.
c. No reliable useable form of communications.
d. Not having a reliable alert system
- Fire
- Flood
- Etc
e. Creating a readily available Emergency Response Plan/program that is well known by all.
f. Creating an evacuation plan for each resident.
5. Was this meeting a valuable, meaningful exercise?
a. Holding this meeting was a great idea
b. Popham Chapel is a valuable, proactive community service organization
6. Action steps we can take as a community
a. Fix the problems above so we can be prepared to face similar storms like these two again:
- Publish and distribute to all residents (residential and tourist) our local Emergency Response Plan/resources.
- Keep a supply of copies of this Local Emergency Response Plan/resources in library for all who want a copy at no charge.
- Hold annual Emergency Response overview session with residents. Distribute and discuss our local Emergency Response Plan /resources.
- Need a registry of property owners with their name, address, phone, email.
- Make a list of the “away” property owners and and how to contact them.
- Make a local “who to call” list of helpers with services they can offer such as plumbing, electrical, heating, plowing, labor.
7. Next steps:
a. Document and summarize in the near future comments and information shared tonight with those who attended.
b. Hold an update meeting to share the results of this first meeting.
c. Organize a permanent local task force within Popham Beach to manage and monitor our desired Emergency Response Plan.
d. Formalize a documented Emergency Response Plan and make it available to all who come to Popham Beach.
e. Contact Sagadahoc County Emergency Alert System for assistance.
f. Check the Phippsburg Town Planning Board for their “Comprehensive Plan”.
g. Locate the “209 Plan” and its timeline to raise the road where it bends toward the Chapel.
h. Investigate what are dune restorations that work.
Sagadahoc County RAVE/Smart Alerts
In response to our Storm Meeting, we are urging all residents to subscribe to the Sagadahoc County’s RAVE/Smart Alerts to receive alerts on your phones. You can do this online at:
https://www.smart911.com/smart911ref/reg.action?pa=SCEMA
Questions regarding this system can be answered by the Sagadahoc County EMA at 207-443-8210
https://www.smart911.com/smart911ref/reg.action?pa=SCEMA
Questions regarding this system can be answered by the Sagadahoc County EMA at 207-443-8210