Rep. Mike Michaud represents Maine's 2nd District in the United States Congress.

Last week I traveled to northern Maine to tour the damage caused by the flooding of the Fish, St. John, and Aroostook Rivers. I was accompanied by Governor Baldacci, emergency management officials, and the entire congressional delegation.

The damage that I saw was heartbreaking. Places I have been to many times were either still covered in water or clearly damaged by the flood’s waters.

But while the damage was heartbreaking, the spirit of the community during the flood and its aftermath was remarkable.

The Red Cross stood ready to help displaced residents with cots to sleep in. But despite the hundreds of Mainers displaced, only a handful of cots were used. The community pulled together and those who were lucky enough to avoid damage opened their doors to their neighbors.

The state also did a great job in warning residents of the flooding and evacuating affected areas. These actions helped ensure that there was no loss of life as a result of this disaster.

But while most families evacuated and were safe, many structures were severely damaged or destroyed.

Many homes will need to be cleaned and rebuilt. Businesses were also hit hard by these floods, and some of these small businesses were home-based - making a bad situation even worse.

As I write this, the State of Maine is still waiting for a decision from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on their request for expedited federal assistance to help Maine recover from record flooding. The state made the request after we toured the damage on Friday, May 2nd.

As Governor Baldacci pointed out in his letter to FEMA and the President, the U.S. Geological Survey calculated the flooding to be a 100- to 500-year event on the affected rivers.

After touring the flooded areas, I can say first hand that this was truly an extraordinary event that requires the full support of the federal government. It was clear to all that FEMA needed to step in, and step in fast. That day, I wrote a letter to FEMA and President Bush strongly urging them to approve Maine’s request for assistance.

The people of Maine who have been severely impacted need immediate help and cannot afford any delays. It is within the President’s power to grant this request for assistance, and I am hopeful that he will.

Once a disaster declaration is made by the President, federal resources for families and small businesses will be made available to help the communities rebuild. I am hoping that the call for federal aide is answered with a positive and timely response by the time you read this.

The people of Maine have lost property, have had their homes damaged and have risked injury in this environment. Mainers need the federal government to work for them in a timely and thorough manner. I will continue to work with the Governor and the entire congressional delegation in making sure that Mainers get the help that they need during this truly difficult time.