Flood Damage Restoration: Saco, Wells, and Old Orchard Beach Launch Emergency Coastal Protection in 2026

Emergency Restoration Begins After Historic Coastal Floods

In York County, Maine, the scars of the January 2024 storms are still visible—and the threat of further damage looms large. Saco, Wells, and Old Orchard Beach, once shielded by protective dunes, were left dangerously exposed after back-to-back coastal floods tore through the region, causing more than $110 million in damage to beaches and dunes alone. The urgency to repair these natural barriers was palpable, as communities found themselves ‘one storm away’ from losing homes and livelihoods to the relentless sea.

• Federal approvals for restoration finally granted in December 2025
• Projects classified under FEMA’s Category B ‘Emergency Protective Measures’
• Restoration work scheduled to begin early 2026

Local Communities Rally for Federal Support

The delay in federal approval weighed heavily on local officials and residents. As York County Emergency Management Agency Director Art Cleaves explained, missing the dredging season—November to March—could have postponed vital repairs until late 2026, leaving over $660 million in property and infrastructure exposed to winter and spring storms. County commissioners, local leaders, and advocacy groups lobbied intensely, sending letters to Congressional delegates and coordinating across government levels. Their efforts paid off in mid-December, when FEMA Region 1 clarified that the restoration could proceed, citing that all eligibility criteria were met.

Commissioner Justin Chenette of Saco described it as an ‘all hands on deck moment,’ underscoring how immediate the threat was to homes and the local economy. With coastal tourism contributing over $1.6 billion annually and supporting 27,000 jobs, the stakes extended far beyond property lines—every delay risked further losses to businesses, livelihoods, and community identity.

Restoration Strategies: Sand, Dune Grass, and Regional Coordination

Restoration plans are tailored to the unique needs of each community. In Wells, 7,600 cubic yards of sand deposited by the storms will be dredged from the harbor and used to stabilize Wells Beach. This emergency measure will be reinforced by planting a staggering 126,000 dune grass seedlings, designed to anchor the sand and protect both the shoreline and native bird habitats.

Saco’s Camp Ellis faces a two-pronged approach: 1,200 cubic yards of sand dredged for beach restoration, plus an additional 5,000 cubic yards for further nourishment. Old Orchard Beach, lacking dredgeable deposits, will see sand trucked in from a local pit, with strict requirements that the replacement sand matches the original in size, grain, and color—ensuring ecological compatibility and regulatory compliance.

These emergency protective measures are part of FEMA’s five-year flood protection program. Yet the ambitions stretch further. Cleaves and York County officials are already planning for 100-year flood protection, aiming for FEMA Category G standards. This would mean more robust dunes and beaches, greater eligibility for future disaster recovery funds, and a new level of resilience for six coastal municipalities.

Building Long-Term Resilience Through Regional Cooperation

What sets this restoration effort apart is the regional approach. York County government is centralizing procurement and management for the six affected municipalities, recognizing that smaller towns often lack the staff and expertise to navigate complex federal and technical requirements. This collaborative model not only streamlines the process but also boosts the chances of securing major federal funding—$19 million has been requested through Congressionally Directed Spending for future upgrades.

For now, the priority remains clear: complete emergency repairs before the next round of coastal storms threatens already vulnerable communities. As Cleaves put it, ‘Getting these emergency protective measures in place is critical, but it’s just the first step. We’re already working toward our long-term goal of achieving 100-year flood protection across our coastal communities.’

The Human Cost and the Path Forward

The January 2024 floods were more than a natural disaster; they were a test of community resolve and government coordination. With homes, businesses, and billions in economic activity at risk, the restoration of Saco, Wells, and Old Orchard Beach is about more than sand and grass—it’s about safeguarding futures and restoring a sense of security along Maine’s iconic coastline.

The rapid mobilization and federal approval for emergency flood restoration in York County reveal both the vulnerability of coastal communities and the power of collective action. While immediate repairs will offer critical protection, the push for 100-year flood resilience highlights an important lesson: long-term safety demands proactive, coordinated investment, not just reactive measures after disaster strikes. As climate change intensifies coastal threats, the lessons from Maine may soon become a blueprint for other regions facing similar challenges.

Sources: DredgeWire