{"id":27986,"date":"2025-05-16T11:59:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T15:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/?p=27986"},"modified":"2025-05-16T11:59:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T15:59:51","slug":"governor-moore-declares-state-of-emergency-in-response-to-historic-flooding-in-western-maryland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/2025\/05\/16\/governor-moore-declares-state-of-emergency-in-response-to-historic-flooding-in-western-maryland\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Moore Declares State of Emergency in Response to Historic Flooding in Western Maryland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Published: 5\/15\/2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

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ANNAPOLIS, MD\u00a0<\/b>\u2014\u00a0Governor Wes Moore this afternoon declared a State of Emergency to strengthen the state\u2019s coordinated response to historic flood damage in Western Maryland. The governor announced the State of Emergency declaration during his visit to Allegany County to survey the major damage incurred as the result of Tuesday\u2019s statewide storm activity.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter surveying the damage and receiving updates on the work still ahead in Western Maryland, I\u2019ve declared a State of Emergency to accelerate our response,\u201d\u00a0said Gov. Moore<\/b>.\u00a0\u201cToday, our thoughts are with the Marylanders who have been directly impacted by this storm, and our gratitude is with all of the first responders, crisis managers, and public servants who raised their hands to support our people in a moment of need.\u201d<\/p>\n

The governor was joined by Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland, Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, Department of Natural Resources Police Deputy Superintendent Michael Sewell, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton, Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale, and Maryland State Police for a situational briefing before surveying flood damage in Westernport.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing here in Western Maryland today with Governor Moore and seeing the aftermath of the flooding firsthand is overwhelming,\u201d\u00a0said Congresswoman April McClain Delaney<\/b>.\u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t fully grasp the scale of it until you\u2019re standing here, witnessing it for yourself. We\u2019ve met families who had to evacuate their homes and small business owners now facing tough choices. The damage is real, but so is the strength of the people here. We\u2019re listening, and we\u2019re committed to doing everything in our power to make sure help gets where it\u2019s needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, several communities in Western Maryland experienced more than 5 inches of rain, causing major floods in Allegany and Garrett Counties; and the second highest Georges Creek crest on record. Reports from the impacted area have confirmed a number of damaged structures and utility impacts, including gas line washouts. Transportation routes have experienced washouts and slides, and the Town of Lonaconing\u2019s water services have been suspended as a result of a roadway washout and pipe damage. Water rescues and evacuations were conducted Tuesday afternoon and evening by swiftwater rescue teams from surrounding jurisdictions, including the successful evacuation of more than 200 students and faculty from the Westernport and George\u2019s Creek elementary schools.<\/p>\n

Response operations continued on Wednesday with first responders and support assets conducting welfare checks in impacted areas. All county shelters have been closed, and local jurisdictions have transitioned from response to recovery efforts today. While additional rain is expected in the area through the end of the week, no additional flooding is expected.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one ever expects disaster to strike close to home, but when it does, the strength and resilience of our communities become clear,\u201d\u00a0said Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland<\/b>.\u00a0\u201cThe people of Western Maryland faced unimaginable flooding with courage and saved lives through the quick action of local responders. Under Governor Moore\u2019s emergency declaration, MDEM will continue to lead a coordinated, statewide response and recovery\u2014working side-by-side with local officials, first responders, and our state and federal partners to support immediate needs, assess damage, and build a path toward long-term recovery. We will not leave until the work is done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Western Maryland community has faced unprecedented conditions this week, but we are working together to respond to incidents and help wherever we can,\u201d\u00a0said Department of Natural Resources Police Deputy Superintendent Michael Sewell<\/b>.\u00a0\u201cFirst responders have stepped up by coordinating evacuations, clearing travel routes, and delivering essential items throughout the affected communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the governor\u2019s situational briefing on the flood event and response, the governor joined cabinet members and local elected officials in thanking first responders at Lonaconing Goodwill Fire Hall. The governor then joined Maryland Department of Emergency Management officials and Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton at the Westernport Main Street corridor to survey the flood damage at Westernport fire hall, library, local businesses, and Westernport Elementary School. Throughout the governor\u2019s walkthrough in Westernport, he assured first responders, library employees, and local resident cleanup volunteers that the State of Maryland will continue coordinating in partnership with local, state and federal partners to ensure the community\u2019s full recovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a serious test for public safety and health, and we responded with urgency,\u201d\u00a0said Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain<\/b>.\u00a0\u201cDrinking water systems were damaged, homes were flooded, and families were impacted. We acted quickly to confirm that our dams were operating correctly, offer emergency help for contaminated home heating oil tanks, and support safe debris removal. Our focus now is on long-term recovery, guiding infrastructure repairs, fast-tracking permits, and staying close to communities as they rebuild.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI join in thanking the tireless work of our first responders, many of whom experienced flooding in their own homes, who stepped up to keep communities in Western Maryland safe during this major flooding event,\u201d\u00a0said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld<\/b>.\u00a0\u201cThe Maryland Department of Transportation will continue to coordinate closely with our county and local partners in Western Maryland and provide the Department\u2019s full force of resources to aid in the recovery process. State Highway Administration crews from across the region have worked day and night to evaluate impacted roadways and clear debris. We\u2019ll continue to work with our colleagues in Allegany and Garrett counties to safely reopen roadways and support cleanup efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Live updates on traffic conditions are available through the\u00a0Maryland Department of Transportation\u2019s Traffic Incidents and Events page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Published: 5\/15\/2025 ANNAPOLIS, MD\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Governor Wes Moore this afternoon declared a State of Emergency to strengthen the state\u2019s coordinated response to historic flood damage in Western Maryland. The governor announced the State of Emergency declaration during his visit to Allegany County to survey the major damage incurred as the result of Tuesday\u2019s statewide storm activity. \u201cAfter  Read the Rest…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mdem-in-the-news","category-news-releases"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t