Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rejected his state’s appeal for federal disaster relief for flooding in May.
moore, In Thursday’s releasecalled the move “extremely disappointing” and said it “leaves Marylanders to fend for themselves.”
“FEMA has a responsibility to objectively weigh the merits of each emergency request,” Moore said. “Instead, President Trump and his administration have politicized disaster relief, and our communities will be the ones paying the price.”
Flooding that occurred over two days affected Garrett and Allegany counties in West Virginia. It resulted in $33.7 million in damage, with homes, schools, libraries, and other community buildings also affected. Letter Moore sent it to Trump in August.
The President did not issue a major disaster declaration, which would have made FEMA assistance available after the flood. In July, the administration rejected Disaster Assistance to Maryland.
moore appeals were made The decision in August, noting that the damage was nearly triple Maryland’s federal limit for aid.
“Maryland has met the long-standing criteria for FEMA support in the wake of historic flooding in Mountain Maryland. And this appeal is not just expedient, it is necessary,” Moore said at the time.
The Hill has contacted FEMA and the White House for comment.
Maryland’s senators, Democrats Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, also criticized the denial in Thursday’s release. Van Hollen said the administration has “turned its back on these communities”, while Alsobrooks claimed Trump “cares more about supporting billionaires than supporting Americans facing disaster.”
