Anne Arundel Won't Get Tornado Relief Money From Federal Government: Report

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Anne Arundel County will not get any federal relief money to help the victims of last month's tornado, Capital Gazette reported Tuesday. Though the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Maryland's request, there are still other ways to secure aid.

"While disappointing, FEMA's decision is by no means the end of the process," tweeted Michael Ricci, a spokesperson for Gov. Larry Hogan.

Ricci noted that the Maryland Department of Emergency Management met Tuesday with local leaders to discuss alternative funding sources and a potential appeal to FEMA's rejection. County Executive Steuart Pittman also asked Hogan to declare a state of emergency to open access to Maryland's disaster relief funding, journalist Donovan Conaway wrote.

Anne Arundel County and Annapolis both declared states of emergency after the Sept. 1 twister, which spawned from Tropical Depression Ida. The states of emergency have since expired, but the damage still remains.

The EF-2 tornado reached wind speeds of 125 mph while traveling from Edgewater to Annapolis and causing 3,924 power outages. Homes, schools, and businesses were damaged. In the state capital, the twister temporarily displaced 38 residents and left:

• 5 buildings destroyed
• 25 condemned
• 29 with major damage
• 46 with minor damage

Fundraisers have collected thousands for affected businesses, like Chris's Charcoal Pit. The Annapolis Town Center also hosted a benefit concert Sunday that raised more than $10,000 for the victims, WMAR journalist Abby Isaacs shared.

To learn more about Anne Arundel County's fight for aid, check out Capital Gazette's full story. Head to WMAR to read up on the tornado benefit concert.

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RELATED:

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• Tornado Wind Speeds Hit 125 MPH On Path To Annapolis, Edgewater
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• Tornado Damages Annapolis Businesses, South River Stadium

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