Governor Larry Hogan Directs State Agencies to Assist in Storm Recovery Efforts

Operations Transitioning from Rapid Response to Long-Term Recovery

ANNAPOLIS, MD – On Sunday, Governor Larry Hogan issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in Howard County in response to the severe thunderstorms and flooding that occurred Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The governor also spent Sunday in Ellicott City and Howard County, where he surveyed the damage and met with local officials and citizens.

“As Howard County and the historic town of Ellicott City begin to rebuild from this storm, I want to recognize the local residents, and county and state personnel who have worked tirelessly to support these communities over the past few days,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration will continue to work with local and federal officials to provide the support and resources necessary to recover from this emergency.”

The Hogan administration has directed state agencies to assist residents and local businesses affected by this storm, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, which has increased its activation level and is coordinating resource requests received from Howard County.

Yesterday in Ellicott City, there was a recovery and information session at which representatives from the following Maryland state agencies were available to answer questions about state assistance to Howard County residents and local businesses: the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; the Maryland Insurance Administration; the Maryland Emergency Management Agency; the Maryland State Police; the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives; the Department of Housing and Community Development; the Department of Transportation, the Department of Human Resources; the Department of Commerce; and the Department of the Environment.

Descriptions of some of the actions taken by state agencies are listed below:

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

Increased the state response activation level in order to facilitate resource coordination and support for Howard County following the flooding in Ellicott City.
Sending planning support and liaisons to assist Howard County emergency management officials.
Working with the National Weather Service and local emergency management offices around the state to monitor the forecast and ensure readiness for potential storm systems and rain this week.

State Highway Administration

Reopened more than 40 roads that were closed due to the thunderstorms and flooding.
Working to re-open both ends of MD 144 on the approaches to Main Street in Ellicott City.
Continuing to monitor road conditions across the state.

Department of Housing and Community Development

Providing financing for homeowners to repair damaged homes through the Disaster Relief Housing Program, the Disaster Housing Assistance Program, and the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program (WholeHome).
Providing storefront improvement funds through the Community Legacy Program to improve damaged facades.
Extending the application deadline for the Strategic Demolition Fund, which can be used for a range of development activitiesincluding the removal of unsafe structures, the demolition of obsolete structures, infrastructure improvements, site development, and architectural and engineering services.
Providing small business grants and emergency loans through the Maryland Business Recovery Loan Program to assist with building repairs and lost inventory.
Providing grants for local revitalization projects in Ellicott City through the Main Street Maryland program, that are available to Maryland’s 28 designated historic Main Streets.
Working with residents and local business owners to reevaluate previously submitted applications for state assistance.
Working with the Department of Human Resources to provide vouchers through the Housing Assistance Program.
Working with the Department of Human Resources and the federal government to determine how additional emergency funds can be dispersed.

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

Sent out a Rapid Response team to assist in emergency workforce initiatives and file unemployment claims.

Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives

Working with the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism to coordinate with nonprofit and corporate contacts to mobilize volunteers and commodities.

Department of the Environment

Working with residents and businesses to help with permitting during the cleanup and rebuilding phase.
Monitoring dam conditions.

Department of Planning

Working to identify priority historic properties that may require special attention or protective actions.

Maryland Insurance Administration

Assisting Marylanders filing property and casualty insurance claims.

Maryland State Police

Activated 30 troopers from the Maryland State Police Mobile Field Force to work security and traffic control in Ellicott City.
Monitoring issues at the Howard County Emergency Operations Center and maintaining contact with the Howard County Police Department.

Governor Larry Hogan Directs State Agencies to Assist in Storm Recovery Efforts