Sustainability Matters Fall 2025 3 CEU Class October 6, 2025 2 – 5 pm
Portland Museum of Art Auditorium followed by a reception at the Downtown Social
Sustainability Matters 2025: Understanding Flood Risks: How Some Maine Communities are Preparing for the Future
Back to back storms in Maine including the December 2023 Grinch Storm that caused the worst river flooding since the 1800’s and the two coastal storms that damaged or destroyed 60% of our working waterfront as well as damaging buildings, infrastructure and topography with record-breaking water levels and storm surge. The estimated damage to public infrastructure in Maine alone was $90 million, with an untold cost to FEMA and private insurance, businesses and the public.
Mainers immediately responded with funding from the state and flood insurers to assess the costs to rebuild with higher resilience in anticipation of even worse to come. Once again, the Sustainability Advisory Group of the Greater Portland Board of Realtors is calling on local experts, this time to detail the community response to rebuilding better.
How have Maine communities approached reducing storm and flood damage to topography, public infrastructure, and private property, both residential and commercial? i.e. elevating sea walls, piers, wharves, roads and bridges; introducing nature-based infrastructure; limiting floodplain development; and more.