Federal Government Grants Disaster Declaration For Maryland To Respond To Snowstorm

By Maryland Matters Staff

January 26, 2026

Maryland was one of 10 states declared disaster areas by President Donald Trump over the weekend as a result of the winter storm that stretched from the Southwest to the Northeast.

The declaration means that assistance is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the state responds to the storm, with impacts beginning Saturday.” Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency,” the agency said in a statement announcing the declaration.

It comes a day after Gov. Wes Moore (D) declared a state of emergency in Maryland and asked for federal assistance responding to the storm that dumped anywhere from 6 inches to a foot of snow and ice on the state, beginning Saturday and continuing through most of the day Sunday.

State offices were closed Monday as crews continued to dig roads out from under the snow, and schools across the state were closed Monday, with several already announcing Tuesday closures. Federal offices were closed and most workers were granted leave Monday, but emergency workers were expected to report and telework and remote employees were expected to work their regular hours.

The General Assembly canceled House and Senate sessions Monday, but said that previously scheduled committee hearings could continue virtually.

Other states to get a disaster declaration in response to the winter storm were Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.