Town Manager Mathew Sturgis held a multi-department meeting with the leadership teams of the Fire, Police, Public Works, EMA, and Community Services earlier this morning, September 14, 2023, to prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Lee.  The operation command center will be housed in the former dispatch area at the Police Department.  All Town facilities with generators have had their fuel filled, inclusive of Town Hall, the Thomas Memorial Library, Police, Fire, Public Works facilities, and the communications tower to ensure operations are not disrupted.  All public safety departments are updated with the latest information from Cumberland County EMA and will continue to stay up to date with all briefings.

With anticipated winds, rains, and powerful waves, the primary issue the Town is preparing for are widespread power outages and falling trees.  Current ground conditions are saturated from all the rain that has fallen over the summer; saturated soil increases the potential for falling trees.  Fire Chief Steve Young is maintaining consistent contact with Central Maine Power and has again offered the Fire Department as a staging area for CMP's local response team.

Chief Young has also been working with South Portland Chief Selberg to coordinate regional efforts.  If sheltering is needed, the South Portland Community Center will be the go-to shelter for Cape Elizabeth residents.

In response to roadways that are known areas of concern, Public Works will have two teams ready to respond.  Historically, these roads include: Sawyer Road, Kettle Cove Road, Pond Cove, and Spurwink Road.

Fort Williams Park will not be open on Saturday, September 16, as the waves are anticipated to be between 12 to 30 fetid in height.  Experience with prior storms has shown that visitors park in potentially dangerous positions.  Plywood will be placed over the windows at the lighthouse.

The Recycling Center is currently scheduled to close at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Should power be lost before their 8:00 a.m. opening, the center will not open.

In an email to  the Town Council, Sturgis reported, "We have barricades and other materials for responding to the storm mobilized, the entire team is briefed, and we are prepared and ready to respond."  

Updates and notifications will be provided as needed on the Town website and social media platforms.