Maine communities can take a number of steps to reduce the effects of catastrophic floods:

. Practice responsible flood plain management.

. Prepare and practice realistic emergency plans to respond to floods.

. Think ahead and plan for what it would take to recover economically from a major flood.

Maine residents and business owners can:

. Learn about their flood risk.

. Make sure they have adequate flood insurance (homeowners and business insurance does not cover flood damage).

. Make sure they have emergency plans for their families and businesses.

. Stay tuned to weather forecasts and warnings at all times.

For more information:

Current conditions: www.maine.gov/rfac/riverwatch.shtml

Flood plain management: www.maine.gov/spo/flood

Flood preparedness: Maine Prepares: www.maineprepares.com

Flood of April 1987 in Maine (USGS Water Supply Paper 2424): pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/wsp/wsp2424

University of Maine report, “The Flood of April 1987”: www.maine.gov/spo/flood/docs/april1987flood.pdf

Photo galleries of 1987 and other floods in Maine: www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/prepgallery.shtml

River Flow Advisory Commission: www.maine.gov/rfac