Communities still rebuilding up and down the coast nearly one year after January storms [Video]

Residents from Southport to Bristol came together for an open conversation to talk about how they’re doing nearly a year after devastating storms. Two storms last January brought heavy rain and severe flooding.There was enough damage up and down the coast to warrant a $70 million major disaster declaration. At Monday’s meeting, they discussed what still needs to be done to repair and prepare for the next storm. “They’ve seen damage, they’ve seen loss of wharves, piers, they’ve seen eroded bluffs,” said Natalie Springuel of Maine Sea Grant. “They’ve seen changed shorelines, they’ve seen, like, cobbles stacked up where there used to be a beautiful beach.”Months later, some communities are still trying to recover. Residents shared what they need to get back on their feet and ready for the next storm. “The change that we’ve seen on the coast is pretty enormous when you hear all the stories from up …