President Donald Trump denied disaster assistance for Western Maryland Wednesday that Gov. Wes Moore requested following massive floods that hit the region in May.
In a statement Wednesday, Moore, a Democrat, said that the flooding, which caused evacuations in Garret and Allegany counties after Georges Creek overflowed following three days of extreme rainfall, “clearly met disaster assistance criteria” under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The floods occurred between May 12 and May 14. Moore requested disaster assistance June 13.
According to Moore’s statement, assessments performed by FEMA, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and local officials estimated $15.8 million in emergency response costs and infrastructural damage, including “including more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads and bridges, railroads, sewer systems, drinking water, and public utilities.”
Moore said that, historically, the president awards disaster assistance if the joint damage assessment shows eligible costs over the county and state indicator. Maryland’s indicator is $11,674,953. Allegany County’s is $321,460.
“These estimates are above and beyond the thresholds for disaster assistance set by FEMA,” said Moore.
The state provided financial assistance to Allegany County in the wake of the floods — $459,375 from the State Disaster Recovery Fund, and $1 million 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,” said Moore.
This story will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Hannah Gaskill at hgaskill@baltsun.com.