AUGUSTA, ME — Maine emergency managers are using September’s preparedness month to push households to check their emergency kits before fall and winter weather turns harsh. The Maine Emergency Management Agency says now is the time to make sure a go-bag is packed, easy to reach and ready to grab if evacuation becomes necessary.
Vanessa Corson, MEMA’s public information officer, said the goal is to avoid scrambling at the last minute. She urged families to keep supplies near the front door or in a coat closet so they can leave quickly if conditions worsen.
The warning comes as Maine heads toward a season that can bring flooding, road wash-outs, power outages and storm surge. Last winter, the National Weather Service office in Caribou issued seven winter storm warnings, one blizzard warning and one extreme cold warning.
What MEMA says belongs in the kit
MEMA’s sample go-bag is built around basics that can help a family get through the first hours or days of an emergency. The list starts with water, medications, cash and a health insurance card, then adds non-perishable snacks and personal hygiene items such as hand sanitizer, a toothbrush and toothpaste.
The agency also recommends weather-ready clothing, including a hat, gloves and poncho, along with a phone charger, first aid kit, compact emergency blanket, flashlight and batteries. MEMA’s sample bag includes a whistle that doubles as a compass and a hand-crank weather radio, with solar power listed as another option.
To keep the pack from becoming too heavy or cluttered, Corson said multi-use items can help. MEMA’s list includes a jackknife, screwdriver set, bug repellant, sunblock, antibacterial spray kit and a gazetteer or map in case a phone dies or GPS is unavailable.
Why families are being told to plan ahead
Corson said having supplies is only part of the job. Every member of the household should know the emergency plan, and families should practice it so they understand what to do if they need to leave in a hurry.
That planning matters most when officials advise an evacuation. Corson said people should listen to local emergency managers and follow instructions, stressing that the advice is meant to protect lives. She said the safest move is usually the one that comes early, not the one made after conditions have already become dangerous.
MEMA says fall and winter storms can create several kinds of problems at once, from power failures to roads being cut off. The agency is encouraging residents to use the month of September to review supplies, replace missing items and make sure everyone in the household knows where the bag is kept.
How Mainers can prepare before the next storm
The preparedness push is meant for regular households, not just people who live in the most exposed coastal or rural areas. MEMA says the same basic planning can help anyone in Maine who could be affected by a hard freeze, heavy snow, high winds or flooding.
Officials say the checklist should be kept simple enough that it can be updated quickly. That means replacing expired food or medication, charging electronics, checking batteries and making sure the family plan matches current needs.
Corson said the point of a go-bag is convenience in an emergency: if people have to leave immediately, they should not have to search the house for essentials. MEMA directs residents to its website for more guidance on building a kit and reviewing preparedness steps before the weather changes.
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