Maryland News, Politics, Weather

White House denies Maryland’s request for federal flood aid, Governor Moore responds

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The White House has rejected Maryland’s request for a federal disaster declaration following severe flooding in Western Maryland in May, Gov. Wes Moore announced on Wednesday. The decision denies federal assistance for communities in Allegany and Garrett counties, which suffered millions of dollars in damage.

Governor Moore said the state would appeal the decision, asserting that the floods “clearly met disaster assistance criteria established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).” He emphasized that these communities “demonstrated a clear need through FEMA’s own process.”

The flooding, which occurred between May 12 and 14, saw Georges Creek overflow its banks, inundating towns and damaging more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads, bridges, and public utilities. Joint assessments by FEMA, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, and local officials estimated the total cost of emergency response and infrastructure damage at over $15.8 million.

Governor Moore highlighted that these damage estimates exceeded FEMA’s thresholds for disaster assistance, including Allegany County’s threshold of $321,460 and Maryland’s statewide threshold of $11.6 million. Historically, similar circumstances with damage exceeding these benchmarks have resulted in presidential disaster declarations.

Maryland’s congressional delegation, including Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, also expressed disappointment and urged the White House to reconsider. They noted that even with damage exceeding federal assistance thresholds, the administration is “refusing to come to their aid.”

In the wake of the flooding, the state has already mobilized some resources, with Allegany County receiving $459,375 from the State Disaster Recovery Fund and an additional $1 million made available to both Allegany and Garrett counties through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

However, state officials maintain that the full recovery effort will require federal support beyond what state and local agencies can provide.

Governor Moore’s full statement on the White House decision reads as follows:

“The devastating floods that hit Western Maryland in May clearly met disaster assistance criteria established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These communities demonstrated a clear need through FEMA’s own process, and Maryland will appeal the decision to seek all available resources to support the recovery efforts.

“A stationary low-pressure system in the Ohio River Valley produced extreme rainfall between May 12 and May 14, causing Georges Creek to reach a near-record level of 12.41 feet, overflowing into several towns in Allegany County. Rising waters forced evacuations in both Garrett and Allegany counties.

“I requested federal disaster assistance for Allegany and Garrett counties on June 13. The request followed a swift and comprehensive assessment involving an in-depth review of damage costs, community impact and site visits to secure federal support as quickly as possible. Through the coordinated assessment process, FEMA, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, and local officials estimated more than $15.8 million in emergency response costs and damage to infrastructure, including more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads and bridges, railroads, sewer systems, drinking water, and public utilities.

“These estimates are above and beyond the thresholds for disaster assistance set by FEMA. Historically, if the joint damage assessment process demonstrates eligible costs over and above the county and State indicator, disaster assistance has been awarded by the President. Allegany County’s threshold for FEMA Public Assistance is $321,460 and Maryland’s is $11,674,953.

“The State of Maryland immediately took action to make funding available directly to residents and businesses to assist with recovery. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management awarded Allegany County $459,375 from the State Disaster Recovery Fund on June 10. An additional $1 million was made available to Allegany and Garrett counties through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. We will continue to stand with our fellow Marylanders in Western Maryland as they rebuild from the damage caused in May.”

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