FEMA Approves Ellicott City Disaster Declaration

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a request Friday for federal assistance submitted on behalf of Ellicott City, ravaged by a deadly flash flood on July 30.

Two people died and there was an estimated $22.4 million in infrastructure damage as a result of the flood on Main Street, where 90 businesses and 107 residences were damaged, county officials said.

The FEMA declaration means that Howard County will be able to recover 75 percent of FEMA eligible costs such as infrastructure repair and replacement, hazard mitigation projects and debris removal.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he requested federal assistance to help pay for costs associated with the Ellicott City flooding in an Aug. 12 letter to President Barack Obama.

“When this devastating storm hit, we assured residents and leaders in Howard County that our administration would pursue all avenues of support to help our communities rebuild,” Hogan said in a statement Friday. "I have been amazed by the resilience of Ellicott City and the surrounding communities and look forward to Main Street again being the focal point of local activity.”

Hogan thanked County Executive Allan Kittleman, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, Congressman Elijah Cummings and the entire Maryland delegation for their collaboration on working for the funding.

A federal coordinating officer will be assigned to ensure that Ellicott City fulfills its obligations and can also help identify other methods of assistance for which Ellicott City qualifies, county officials said.

"This declaration will help us coordinate and take advantage of the many federal resources available to us," Kittleman said in a statement. Getting assistance from FEMA also paves the way for additional grants: "These resources will help us implement long-term flood mitigation projects to rebuild Ellicott City to become a model resilient community."

This was the second piece of good news from a federal agency providing relief to Ellicott City. Last month, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved a request to provide disaster loans for both residents and merchants impacted by the flood.

• 911 Calls from Ellicott City Flood: 'The Floor's Buckling'
• Ellicott City Flood Damage by the Numbers
• Police Identify 2 People Killed in Ellicott City Flood
• How to Help Ellicott City Flood Victims

Pictured, Main Street in Ellicott City on Aug. 3, 2016. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Janney.