U.S. Sens. Mikulksi, Cardin Praise President Obama for Signing Major Disaster Declaration for Maryland Following Severe Snowstorm

From the office of U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski:

Delegation asked President Obama to support Governor Hogan’s request for a major disaster declaration as communities across Maryland struggle to recover from historic blizzard

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), together with U.S. Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards, Andy Harris and John Delaney today applauded President Obama’s issuing of a federal Disaster Declaration for Maryland following severe winter weather. The President’s action follows the Delegation’s letter in support of Governor Hogan’s request for a major disaster declaration.

“As members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation, we have been united throughout this process in urging the President to issue a Disaster Declaration for Maryland in the wake of such severe weather,” said members of the Delegation. “We are pleased that the President has recognized the full extent of the damage that was caused. Communities across Maryland will now be eligible for federal funding assistance to help recover from this severe winter snowstorm.”

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in the counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Washington, and Worcester and the Independent City of Baltimore.

In addition, federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48 hour period during or proximate to the incident period in the counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, and Washington and the Independent City of Baltimore.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

As a result of the snowstorms, Maryland was in a state of emergency from January 22, 2016 to January 29, 2016 and the Maryland National Guard was called into service. The storm caused an estimated $34 million in damage across Maryland.

The text of the delegation’s letter of support is as follows:

February 23, 2016

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our shared support for Governor Larry Hogan’s request for the declaration of a major disaster for the State of Maryland as a result of a severe winter snowstorm which impacted our State beginning January 22, 2016. Given the massive impact that this storm had on the State’s resources, we respectfully request that you expeditiously approve the provision of supplementary Federal assistance.

Maryland suffered significant blizzard conditions throughout the storm, overwhelming the State’s capabilities to deal with its aftermath. Governor Hogan took appropriate action under Maryland law, declaring a State of Emergency for all Maryland counties and the City of Baltimore, calling the National Guard into State Service, and opening the State Emergency Operations Center for the duration of the event. Our State experienced record snowfalls, wind gusts as high as 55 MPH creating blizzard conditions, and coastal and tidal flooding. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), along with local jurisdictions and FEMA, conducted an extensive impact assessment February 2 – February 17. They collectively found that the event was of such severity and magnitude that effective response and recovery is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and requires supplementary Federal assistance.

Maryland has made extensive efforts to respond to this emergency. Governor Hogan, working with FEMA, has estimated the total cost to exceed $34 million. An expedited declaration of a disaster is necessary to help provide the resources needed by our State. We appreciate your consideration of Maryland’s request.