Western Maryland mayor reacts to FEMA’s denial of flood relief funding

WESTERNPORT, Md. (DC News Now) — The mayor of a small Western Maryland town ravaged by floods earlier this year is sharing her frustration, as FEMA recently denied the state’s request for help.

The governor asked for millions of dollars needed to rebuild hundreds of homes, roads, schools, and businesses in Allegany and Garrett counties.

Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton spoke with DC News Now days after the denial from FEMA was shared. It drew the ire of Gov. Wes Moore, who visited Westernport back in May to survey the damage done by massive rainfall.

Among the damage: the town’s library, which was covered in mud; the town’s school, which needed to be evacuated by students on the day of the storm; and many homes and businesses near Main Street.

Hamilton said the library has been gutted, and the town’s post office still is not open. There have been positive moments, including the last damaged business on Main Street opening this week. But largely, it’s still an ongoing effort.

That’s why she said the news of the FEMA denial was disappointing.

“Without that FEMA funding, I foresee us having an even longer road ahead of us,” Hamilton said.

While she said they have received help from the state, there are still elements where help from the federal government would be helpful. That includes homes that were damaged, where many are without hot water.

“A lot of homes, the bottom floors are gutted out,” she said. “Now they need resources [to rebuild].”

Maryland’s governor blamed the Trump administration.

“I would hope that politics was not ever put into a decision, but it does make you wonder,” Hamilton said.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told DC News Now that President Donald Trump responds to each request “with great care and consideration.”

“Ensuring American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently by the states to supplement, not substitute, their obligation to respond to and recover from disasters. While the President’s decisions are communicated directly to the Governor of an affected State, the Trump administration remains committed to empowering and working with State and local governments to invest in their own resilience before disaster strikes, making response less urgent and recovery less prolonged,” Jacson said.

Meanwhile, Moore responded to the denial with a statement.

“Through the coordinated assessment process, FEMA, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, and local officials estimated more than $15.8 million in emergency response costs and damage to infrastructure, including more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads and bridges, railroads, sewer systems, drinking water, and public utilities.

These estimates are above and beyond the thresholds for disaster assistance set by FEMA.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore

The full statement can be found here.