Latest news with #StateDisasterRecoveryFund
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Moore requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for Western Maryland flood damage
CUMBERLAND — Although county and state funds have been allocated to repair some damage caused by the May 13 flood, a full recovery will require federal help. Gov. Wes Moore Thursday requested the White House issue a Major Disaster Declaration for areas of Allegany and Garrett counties damaged in the stormwaters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maryland Department of Emergency Management and local officials estimate 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,' according to a press release from the governor's office. 'Our communities in Western Maryland have experienced significant impacts to their homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure,' Moore said via the release. 'After a thorough assessment of the damage, it's clear that additional support is necessary,' he said. 'We must continue to deploy essential resources to ensure a full and robust recovery.' The declaration request marks an important continuation of that ongoing push, as work required to fully recover from the flood is beyond what state and local jurisdictions can provide, the release stated. 'With a natural disaster where residents, businesses and public infrastructure are impacted on this scale, recovery is an all-hands-on-deck approach,' Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland said via the release. 'We are already working tirelessly at the local and state level, but the flooding caused incredible destruction,' he said. 'The addition of much-needed federal assistance is necessary to get those affected back to their regular lives and to allow those communities to fully recover in months instead of years.' The state can also request access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program under the federal Stafford Act. If approved, that support would help repair crucial infrastructure and publicly owned facilities in the impacted counties, as well as fund risk reduction projects to ensure that additional devastating impacts are minimized in the future, the release stated. Allegany County commissioners Thursday approved more than $91,000 in emergency procurements related to the flood. Work performed by various companies included creek and storm cleanup, hauling of gravel and dumpsters, and steel pipe replacement. 'A lot of work has taken place from the immediate aftermath of the flood to try to reopen roads and remove debris from streams, and things that need to happen in order to protect people from damage that occurred and damage that may occur,' County Engineer Dan DeWitt said. 'It's an ongoing effort that's gonna continue for some time.' County Administrator Jason Bennett talked of aid from the first-ever State Disaster Recovery Fund to support local flood recovery efforts. 'We got $459,000 ... this week from the governor,' he said. 'We are coming up with a plan to expend those dollars in the next couple weeks,' Bennett said. 'We will get that on the street as quick as possible.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State money to aid flood recovery
ANNAPOLIS — Allegany County Government will receive $459,375 from the state's Disaster Recovery Fund to support victims of flash flooding last month. 'In Maryland, we live mission-first, people always. These funds will help Marylanders get back on their feet in the wake of historic flooding,' Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. 'Our administration has taken a comprehensive approach to our recovery efforts — and we will continue to support our people, uplift our communities and help Western Maryland bounce back.' The May 13 flooding along Georges Creek caused significant damage to more than 200 homes and businesses and led to evacuations and water rescues, including about 150 students and 50 adults at Westernport Elementary School. Damage has been estimated at $78 million. 'We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support provided by the state of Maryland throughout every phase of our disaster recovery efforts,' said Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale. 'The comprehensive assistance — from multiple state departments — has been extraordinary, and this monetary award through the new Disaster Recovery Program is both timely and impactful. As the first recipients of this program, we recognize the significance of this moment, and we are committed to putting these resources to immediate use to help our neighbors and communities rebuild stronger than before.' The State Disaster Recovery Fund is a form of state-assisted financing given to county and municipal jurisdictions within Maryland for the purpose of providing essential assistance to individuals, households, businesses and local governments affected by disasters. Local governments may request fund supplementation for essential individual and household needs such as housing, repairs and personal property replacement. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management administers the fund. 'Recovery is a whole community effort,' said Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland. 'Being the first of its kind in Maryland, the State Disaster Recovery Fund is providing critical support to the residents of Allegany County. Financial assistance availability at crucial times like this is what strengthens our state's resilience and allows our communities to recover.' The Department of Emergency Management is the lead coordinating agency for disaster response and recovery in Maryland. The department has established a state recovery organization with representation from local and state government agencies to fill resource requests, enhance information sharing and problem solving and address the needs of the impacted residents and businesses. The department has also coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies in recovery efforts to mitigate the risk of flooding due to the impacts on the local rivers and streams in the area. Volunteer organizations have already provided more than $400,000 in estimated support services via the Crisis Cleanup app, including clean up of residences and businesses, the governor's office said. Additional goods, services and volunteer hours have also been donated in support of recovery that were not captured by the app's tracking. Garrett County and Allegany County residents and business owners are also eligible for disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration Physical Loan program. A Disaster Loan Outreach Center has been opened at 103 1st St., Westernport, which will serve both Allegany and Garrett counties. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Multi-agency resource and support centers remain open at the Bruce Outreach Center in Westernport on Saturdays and Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1 to 7 p.m., and the Good Will Fire Company Armory on Sundays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 7 p.m.
