Coastal Flooding & Economic Resilience in Southern Maine

Assessment for the Towns of Kittery, York, Ogunquit, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Wells

The planning study and assessment were funded by the Economic Development Administration.

The information presented in this StoryMap is for general planning purposes only.


How to Use This StoryMap

The remaining sections of this StoryMap detail results for each individual town. Click on the town names above to jump to your town of interest. You can also continue scrolling to see each in turn.

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Town Results

KENNEBUNK

KENNEBUNKPORT

KITTERY

OGUNQUIT

WELLS

YORK

STRATEGIES

Local action is critical for addressing coastal storm hazards and climate change impacts. While the challenges posed by sea level rise may seem overwhelming, vulnerabilities can be addressed and resilience can be built incrementally through a variety of different options. There are numerous strategies that municipalities and regional entities can employ to enhance economic resilience to coastal storms and sea level rise. Based on the results of the coastal economic vulnerability assessment, SMPDC compiled locally relevant and implementable strategies for southern Maine. Overarching strategies are:

1. Develop financing mechanisms to fund resilience actions

2. Strengthen the resilience of infrastructure, systems, and facilities, especially in vulnerable areas

3. Incorporate coastal storm hazards and climate change into plans and policies

4. Increase preparedness for responding to coastal storm events

5. Direct development away from vulnerable areas and promote resilient development

6. Restore and support natural systems

7. Support the business community to prepare for and increase resilience to coastal storm events and climate change

These strategies and the many potential actions that could be taken to pursue them are described in detail in the  Strategies Summary. 

More Info

The planning study and assessment were funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA)

This Story Map was prepared by SMPDC under award CZM NA21NOS4190082 to the Maine Coastal Program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce.

Content developed by:

SMPDC

For more information, please contact:

Abbie Sherwin, Senior Planner & Coastal Resilience Coordinator, SMPDC asherwin@smpdc.org

Click on any image throughout the StoryMap to see it enlarged!