Governor Requests Federal Disaster Declaration For Ellicott City

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday that he has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the state of Maryland. The declaration would enable areas affected by the May 27 floods to receive federal assistance, including Ellicott City.

The request for federal resources included Howard County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Hogan mentioned the impact specifically on Ellicott City, which was struck by a fatal flood after another flood in July 2016 had killed two and shut down the historic downtown for months.

“It was heartbreaking to witness a second flood in less than two years devastate Ellicott City," Hogan said in a statement. "This time, areas of Baltimore County and Baltimore City had significant damage as well."

Parts of Catonsville and southwest Baltimore City experienced flooded basements and flash flooding that tore up roads.

"Our administration is committed to providing all available assistance to these communities, and the federal disaster declaration that I am requesting will bring additional resources to help impacted Marylanders," Hogan said.

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• Frederick Avenue Closed After Flood
• Ellicott City Flood 911 Calls: 'There's Water In The Building'

The disaster declaration would make the areas eligible for help through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

According to the federal act, the governor should request a major disaster declaration based on finding that the severity and magnitude of the disaster requires a response beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments, and federal assistance is necessary.

The impact of the May 27 flood was "significant" and substantiated the request, according to Russ Strickland, executive director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

"MEMA and FEMA worked closely with our local partners in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County to jointly assess damages and costs incurred," Strickland said in a statement. "This storm had a significant impact on the entire area and our estimates confirm this."

Hogan also requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Frederick and Washington counties in mid May, which the governor said was granted Monday.

Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman and Councilman Jon Weinstein will hold a town hall from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, to discuss the flood recovery efforts. The meeting will be at Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road in Ellicott City.

Photo of Ellicott City after the May 27 flood by Elizabeth Janney.