winter storm

The legislation to boost emergency communications, flood management and fund local governments and homeowners has received bipartisan support.

The system will start as freezing rain in most areas Tuesday evening, but temperatures will quickly rise well above freezing by Wednesday. The state is expected to receive two-to-three inches of rain, possibly more in the foothills, according to the National Weather Service.

The grants, up to $100,000, are aimed at helping businesses rebuild and become more resilient to future weather events.

Recommendations include increasing communications, coordination and support to vulnerable communities.

York County officials want to use the dredge that it purchased nearly two years ago to help nearby towns replenish their beaches with sand and restore coastal dunes that eroded during the January storms.

About half of the funds would be used to rebuild working waterfronts and make them more resilient against weather extremes. Most working waterfronts are privately owned and are ineligible for public disaster relief money.

The added cost would be paid for through rate increases, following multiple major storms last year.

Supporters say the money is urgently needed after recent storms and floods caused severe trail damage around the state.

Many residents say they want the city of South Portland to recreate the historic and beloved Willard Beach fishing shacks that were wiped away in last month's storm. But city officials caution that a rebuild could get complicated.

State and municipal leaders are trying to figure out how they can better prepare for more weather extremes. An emergency meeting of the Maine Climate Council was called Tuesday after three winter storms inundated coastal and riverfront communities within just one month.