Latest news with #MDEM
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
FEMA damage assessment requested after flooding in western Maryland
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conduct a damage assessment after flooding in western Maryland in mid-May. The flooding was brought on by severe weather, which brought more than five inches of rain to areas of Allegany and Garrett counties. The flooding left buildings damaged, caused power outages and prompted evacuations at multiple schools. In Allegany County, at least 200 people were rescued from schools, and 12 students were trapped overnight at a high school in Frostburg. Gov. Moore declared a State of Emergency, mobilizing Maryland's Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) to work wth local responders and federal partners in the flooding response. Maryland requests FEMA assessment In his request to FEMA, Gov. Moore said the state's emergency response brought on significant costs, prompting the need for more assistance. "...The breadth of damage requires us to accelerate our work in this moment, not slow down," Gov. Moore said. "This Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment will help ensure Marylanders get the help they need as we work together to rebuild." According to the governor, the Preliminary Damage Assessment would help to determine if Maryland meets the federal requirement for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. The assessment is carried out as a collaboration between FEMA and MDEM. First, local officials identify and document damage, then a formal assessment request is submitted to FEMA. During the assessment, teams survey the impacted areas to determine the scope of the damage. The collected data is used to support a request to the Trump administration for a disaster declaration, which allows for federal assistance. According to the governor, Allegany and Garrett counties asked that the assessments be scheduled as soon as possible. FEMA assistance approved for eight states On Friday, May 23, President Trump approved FEMA disaster relief for eight states that had been waiting for months after being impacted by natural disasters. The move allocated financial support from FEMA to Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. According to the Associated Press, some Mississippi residents who were impacted by storms in mid-March expressed frustration about the length of time they waited for federal help.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Audit: Maryland Department of Emergency Management can't account for over $300M in federal funding
A legislative audit released Thursday found that the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) potentially cost the state more than $300 million in federal COVID-19-related funds and failed to account for over $23 million in loans to volunteer fire companies. In MDEM's first audit since being established in 2021, the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) determined that in several instances, the department spent more than $1.13 billion between 2022 and 2024 on COVID-related grants, making up most of its funding for public assistance. While the department was able to request federal reimbursements for much of this spending, it failed to do so on a quarterly basis, which lost the state an estimated $19.2 million. MDEM also reported receiving $882 million in federal funds, but upon further analysis, it received only about $560 million. There is a chance that the federal government will still fulfill the full requested amount, but if it does not, Maryland taxpayers might be on the hook to cover the $300 million shortfall. The audit's final reported finding was that MDEM has 62 active loans under its Volunteer Company Assistance Fund (VCAF), with a combined outstanding balance of over $23 million. These loans, intended to help volunteer fire companies purchase and improve equipment, are all overseen by a single MDEM employee, which the audit says leaves the department susceptible to delinquent loan payments. During the audit, OLA identified over $540,000 worth of late VCAF payments. 'MDEM has implemented control processes and made progress in areas described in this report, including filling key vacancies that may have contributed to the findings,' wrote Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management Russell Strickland in his response to the audit. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Audit: Maryland Department of Emergency Management can't account for over $300M in federal funding
A legislative audit released Thursday found that the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) potentially cost the state more than $300 million in federal COVID-19-related funds and failed to account for over $23 million in loans to volunteer fire companies. In MDEM's first audit since being established in 2021, the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) determined that in several instances, the department spent more than $1.13 billion between 2022 and 2024 on COVID-related grants, making up most of its funding for public assistance. While the department was able to request federal reimbursements for much of this spending, it failed to do so on a quarterly basis, which lost the state an estimated $19.2 million. MDEM also reported receiving $882 million in federal funds, but upon further analysis, it received only about $560 million. There is a chance that the federal government will still fulfill the full requested amount, but if it does not, Maryland taxpayers might be on the hook to cover the $300 million shortfall. The audit's final reported finding was that MDEM has 62 active loans under its Volunteer Company Assistance Fund (VCAF), with a combined outstanding balance of over $23 million. These loans, intended to help volunteer fire companies purchase and improve equipment, are all overseen by a single MDEM employee, which the audit says leaves the department susceptible to delinquent loan payments. During the audit, OLA identified over $540,000 worth of late VCAF payments. 'MDEM has implemented control processes and made progress in areas described in this report, including filling key vacancies that may have contributed to the findings,' wrote Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management Russell Strickland in his response to the audit. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Volunteers encouraged to sign up for Crisis Cleanup after intense flooding in western Maryland
MARYLAND () — The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) is encouraging people to sign up to volunteer for Crisis Cleanup after floods from heavy rain swept through western Maryland on Tuesday. 'Crisis Cleanup is not a technology. It's a philosophy,' MDEM stated. Tenants evacuated due to flooding dangers along C&O Canal On Tuesday, the western region of Maryland, such as Allegany County, Washington County and Westernport, saw intense flooding, trapping people, causing property damage and more. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to volunteer for Crisis Cleanup, a program that dispatches small groups of volunteers to survivors who need relief. Western Maryland in recovery mode from overnight flash flooding due to heavy rain For more information and to register, click . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Maryland to conduct statewide tornado drill on Wednesday
MARYLAND () — The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) is inviting the community to participate in the 'Great Maryland Twister Test' on Wednesday. The statewide tornado drill will be held on April 9 at 10 a.m. to practice what to do if the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a tornado warning. On Wednesday morning, the NWS will issue a statement over National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio. The department said an Emergency Alert System test code will precede this message, and alerts will also trigger cell phones. Ovi Shop opens at Capital One Arena, celebrates Ovechkin's record 895th NHL goal 'Tornadoes can strike with little warning. Whether you are in school, at work, or at home, knowing the safest place to go during a tornado warning is vital and makes all the difference,' said MDEM Secretary Russ Strickland. 'The Great Maryland Twister Test is a chance for families, schools, and businesses to practice their safety plans in a low-stress environment. Taking just a few minutes now to prepare can help save lives when real storms threaten.' According to the MDEM, people have died during tornadoes in LaPlata in Charles County, College Park in Prince George's County and in Baltimore City since 2000. Officials said tornadoes are most common during the warm season in the afternoon and evening, but they can happen anytime and anywhere. The department noted that if the NWS issues a tornado warning in your location, find shelter immediately. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. If outside, do not go under an overpass or bridge. Lie flat in a low-lying ditch or depression away from trees and vehicles. Cover your head and neck. Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death. Use your arms to protect your head and neck. If they are close by, you can also use pillows, blankets, or couch cushions to protect those parts of your body. If you are in a vehicle and you see a tornado, stay in your car, buckle up, and lower your head below the windows while covering your head with your arms and a coat or blanket if possible; or, exit the car and lie flat in a low-lying ditch or depression away from trees and vehicles. Cover your head and neck. Make plans to go to a public shelter if you can't stay home. Marylanders are encouraged to download the , which gives instant access to a wide range of emergency notifications. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
