For Immediate Release – September 15, 2023
Contact: Fire Chief Tom Higgins
Thomas.higgins@bangormaine.gov
Debbie Laurie, City Manager
Debbie.laurie@bangormaine.gov
City of Bangor Prepares for Tropical Storm Lee
Bangor, Maine –
Beginning this evening, Friday, September 15, 2023, Tropical Storm Lee will be moving through our region likely resulting in strong winds and heavy rain. The City is in the midst of preparing for this storm and has put a number of contingencies in place to ensure the safety of all Bangor residents. Fire Chief Tom Higgins has been actively coordinating with internal staff and Maine Emergency Management to ensure the City is well prepared for the storm and its aftermath.
Public Works will be staffed 24 hours per day during the storm and will be clearing debris from streets, as necessary, to facilitate power restoration and traffic flow. They will also be clearing storm drains to ensure proper drainage. The Police Department will have additional patrol and dispatch staff working to identify downed power lines and respond to calls of residents in need. Likewise, the Fire Department will have increased staffing to ensure they are ready to respond to any calls. The Parks and Recreation Department will open its doors as a temporary shelter/charging station should the City be without power for an extended period of time.
The safety of our neighbors experiencing homelessness is also of paramount importance to the City during events such as this. Efforts are being made to ensure all have an option to get out of the elements. Facilities providing additional shelter and services during the storm include:
- Brick Church, 126 Union Street: Open through Sunday at 11:00 am
(accepting donations of snacks, eggs, sausage, coffee, sugar, creamer, and milk)
- Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, 263 Main Street: Warming Center open Saturday at 6:00 pm through Sunday at 5:30 am
- Hope House, 179 Corporate Drive: Open Friday and Saturday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:00 am
(these are overflow spots – no sleeping mats)
- Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow Street: Open on Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
(provided power isn’t lost and the library needs to close for safety reasons)
- Mansion Church, 96 Center Street: Open Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
To report issues related to downed trees or storm drains, please contact PW customer services at 207-992-4500. Bangor Police Department non-emergency number is 207-947-7382.
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The City of Bangor, Maine is a service center community of 31,753 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.