Gov. Larry Hogan today submitted a request for federal aid following the devastating flooding last month that affected parts of West Baltimore and Baltimore County and again ravaged Main Street in Ellicott City, the governor’s office announced today.
Last week the governor made a similar request for Frederick and Washington counties after those areas were hit with flooding during a storm in mid-May.
“It was heartbreaking to witness a second flood in less than two years devastate Ellicott City. This time, areas of Baltimore County and Baltimore City had significant damage as well,” Hogan said in a statement. “Our administration is committed to providing all available assistance to these communities, and the federal disaster declaration that I am requesting will bring additional resources to help impacted Marylanders.”
The May 27 storm made national headlines when, for the second time in three years, the historic downtown village in Ellicott City was destroyed by surging waters from a flash flood. WTOP reported earlier this month that estimated damages to infrastructure were $10 million, which doesn’t account for the costs of rebuilding private businesses. An analysis from The Sun found it would take tens of millions of dollars in projects to protect the town from future disasters.
Low-lying parts of Catonsville and Baltimore City also experienced severe flooding as part of the storm.
Waters in the Beechfield neighborhood rose to seven feet high in some places, leaving some residents stranded on top of cars. David McMillan, who heads the city’s Office of Emergency Management, told Baltimore Fishbowl a little more than a week after the flooding that damages exceeded $2 million, qualifying the area for federal relief.
Officials with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency conducted damage assessments with local representatives, the governor’s office said.
If Hogan’s request is approved by the federal government, the state can access money through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
