Flood-Damaged Businesses Can Get $50K In Relief After Anne Arundel Inundation

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Businesses damaged in last week's flood can get up to $50,000 in aid, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced Saturday. Applications for this VOLT Disaster Recovery Relief Program are now open. The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation will run the initiative.

"As a small business owner, I know how hard it can be to recover from property damage and business interruptions caused by events like this storm," Pittman said in a press release. "I want to thank the AAEDC for moving quickly to make this program available, and I want to encourage all impacted business owners to make use of these funds if your business is eligible."

The aid will give priority to the establishments most affected by the storm. The grants will help cover:

• Property repairs
• Replacement of equipment and damaged inventory
• Loss of income from being closed
• Other reopening costs

"Our team’s goal is to get these businesses the critical funds that they need to both retain their employees and get back to business as quickly as possible," stated Ben Birge, CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation.

How To Apply

Applicants must meet the U.S. Small Business Administration's definition of a small business. They must also be in good standing with the state government and have a physical location in Maryland.

Interested businesses must submit a:

• VOLT application
• Copy of 2019 or 2020 business tax return or schedule C
• Statement listing all damages, including details of the loss of income
• Budget detailing the use of grant proceeds
• Completed W-9 form

Applicants must also be available for a site visit to review the damage.

The VOLT Disaster Recovery Relief Program is funded with $1 million from the state’s video lottery terminal loan initiative. This account collects revenue from Maryland casinos.

The application is posted at: aaedc.org/business/financing-and-tax-credits/volt-disaster-recovery-program/. Businesses can email their questions to Stephen Primosch, a representative of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, at sprimosch@aaedc.org.

Report Property Damage

The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management also asked locals and businesses to report any property damage that they sustained at this link. The deadline is Nov. 12. This form is not a substitute for an insurance claim, however.

"Data collection helps determine the severity of impact the incident or disaster has on individuals and communities and what resources are needed in order to help the communities recover," said Preeti Emrick, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management. "We cannot do that without the residents’ help."

Worst Flood Since Isabel

Last weekend's flood was the fourth-worst in Annapolis's recorded history, preliminary data from the National Weather Service suggest.

The tide rolled in Thursday morning. It peaked at 4.9 feet above normal Friday around 11:24 p.m. The water then receded Sunday afternoon and evening.

The highest tide ever was 7.16 feet. That came during Tropical Storm Isabel on Sept. 19, 2003.

The Chesapeake Hurricane brought the second-worst flood of 6.17 feet on Aug. 23, 1933. Hurricane Connie's 4.98 feet of inundation on Aug. 13, 1955 were the third-most in city history.

Friday's 1.24 inches of rain added to the flooding, but the hefty wind was an even larger factor. The U.S. Naval Academy Weather Station recorded a top gust of 47 mph Friday at 2:40 p.m.

Shady Side reported the strongest breeze in Anne Arundel County. The town's wind maxed out at 55 mph Friday at 9:59 a.m.

To check all the flooding statistics, click this link. Daily rainfall totals are posted here. The local breeze tracker is viewable on this webpage.

Effects In Anne Arundel

The storm disrupted schools, commutes and businesses throughout the area.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools canceled all Friday classes. Leaders worried about poor road conditions.

Sustained winds forced the Maryland Transportation Authority to temporarily place the Chesapeake Bay Bridge under full wind restrictions Friday afternoon. That meant crossing was only allowed for automobiles, pickup trucks, flatbed trailers, commercial buses and heavy-laden tractor-trailers.

The agency canceled two-way operations on the bridge Friday. That opened the possibility for eastbound traffic during the evening commute.

The Annapolis Police Department closed these roadways, which have since reopened, during the storm:

• Dock Street
• Compromise Street
• The Spa Creek Bridge
• Randall Street
• Green Street
• Chester Avenue at 5th Street
• Memorial Circle

The flooding disrupted several Anne Arundel County businesses.

The water overcame roads in Shady Side. That prevented Driftwood Diner from opening on Friday.

In Riva, the floods reached the top of the pier at Mike's Bar & Crab House. The Annapolis Yacht Club also saw its dock and parking lot inundated.

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