Maryland’s Request for a Major Disaster Declaration following January Winter Storm is Approved

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REISTERSTOWN, Md. (March 4, 2016) — Maryland has been informed that the state’s recent request for a major disaster declaration has been approved following the January 2016 blizzard. On February 19, Governor Larry Hogan sent a formal letter to President Barack Obama requesting a federal declaration for the State of Maryland as a result of that winter storm. By granting the declaration, federal assistance will be made available to communities in Maryland through state and local agencies and public safety partners that served them during the storm.

“I am pleased that the federal government granted my request for a disaster declaration after a historic blizzard that affected so many of us in January,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Federal aid made available to Maryland and our local communities will supplement state and local recovery efforts that have been ongoing since the storm.”

The decision for a disaster declaration comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and local jurisdictions throughout the state jointly conducted damage assessments last month. In addition to the state, the following local jurisdictions are included in the declaration and are eligible for aid: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Washington, and Worcester Counties and the City of Baltimore.

Governor Hogan has designated MEMA as the state coordinating agency for the declaration.

“MEMA worked closely with FEMA and local jurisdictions to assess damages and costs caused by the January winter storm,” said Executive Director Russell Strickland. “We will continue to work together to apply this federal assistance to repair damaged infrastructure and provide relief to public safety services. MEMA is committed to ensuring that state and local governments and communities are able to effectively recover from this event and that they are ready to respond to the next disaster.”