Maryland Delegation Urges President Trump to Approve Disaster Declaration for Allegany, Garrett Counties Following Destructive Floods
Today, the Maryland Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Representatives April McClain Delaney, Steny Hoyer, Andy Harris, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, and Johnny Olszewski (all Md.) – urged President Donald Trump to exercise his authority under the Stafford Act to approve the State of Maryland’s request for a presidential disaster declaration in response to damage from the flash flooding that occurred in Allegany and Garrett Counties on May 13, 2025. The flash floods drove water levels at the North Branch of the Potomac River and two creeks in Western Maryland to rise rapidly, leading to extensive damage in the communities of Midland, Lonaconing, Barton, and Westernport.
Governor Wes Moore has requested a major disaster declaration for Public Assistance for Allegany and Garrett Counties and the availability of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for all jurisdictions in Maryland. A federal disaster declaration would unlock Public Assistance funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help reimburse emergency response efforts during and after the floods as well as necessary repairs to damaged public infrastructure and facilities. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds would support efforts to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from future flooding and other similar natural disasters.
“We are writing as the Maryland Congressional Delegation to express our strong support for and urge your favorable consideration of Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s request for the declaration of a major disaster for the State of Maryland as a result of the impacts from flash flooding on May 13, 2025,” Team Maryland began. “Given the tremendous impact that this flooding has had on state and local resources in Maryland, we respectfully request that you expeditiously approve the provision of supplementary federal assistance, pursuant to the Stafford Act.
The lawmakers noted the severe extent of the flooding, writing, “Emergency Service personnel responded from 24 agencies in nine counties across three states to carry out recovery efforts. By boat, EMS units successfully evacuated 200 students and personnel who had been trapped at Westernport Elementary School and provided shelter until they could be picked up by family members. Students from two other schools in Georges Creek were evacuated by EMS units in vehicles to Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg until they could be picked up by family members. Twelve students remained sheltered at Mountain Ridge overnight into Wednesday morning.”
They went on to note the costs of recovery will be significant, stating, “Recovery efforts will include debris removal and permanent work to repair infrastructure damaged by flooding. Allegany and Garrett Counties bore the brunt of the storm, with an estimated $15,831,417 in damages in those two counties as a result.”
“We agree with Governor Moore that supplementary federal assistance is necessary and warranted under the Stafford Act. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously review and approve the State of Maryland’s request for a major disaster declaration for the flooding of May 13, 2025,” they concluded.
The full text of the letter is available here and below.
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing as the Maryland Congressional Delegation to express our strong support for and urge your favorable consideration of Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s request for the declaration of a major disaster for the State of Maryland as a result of the impacts from flash flooding on May 13, 2025. Given the tremendous impact that this flooding has had on state and local resources in Maryland, we respectfully request that you expeditiously approve the provision of supplementary federal assistance, pursuant to the Stafford Act.
On May 13, 2025, heavy rains began in the morning hours with more than five inches of rainfall causing the water level in Georges Creek to rise more than six feet by mid-afternoon to reach Major Flood Stage of 12 feet. In Cumberland, Wills Creek rose eight feet and the North Branch of the Potomac River rose nearly 15 feet after 3:00 p.m. and crossed into Major Flood Stage just before midnight. Flash flooding heavily impacted significant portions of Garrett and Allegany Counties in Maryland and, in particular, the communities of Midland, Lonaconing, Barton, and Westernport sustained extensive damage to roads, water and sewer infrastructure, utilities, and property. On May 15, Governor Moore declared a state of emergency in response to the historic flooding.
Emergency Service personnel responded from 24 agencies in nine counties across three states to carry out recovery efforts. By boat, EMS units successfully evacuated 200 students and personnel who had been trapped at Westernport Elementary School and provided shelter until they could be picked up by family members. Students from two other schools in Georges Creek were evacuated by EMS units in vehicles to Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg until they could be picked up by family members. Twelve students remained sheltered at Mountain Ridge overnight into Wednesday morning.
Recovery efforts will include debris removal and permanent work to repair infrastructure damaged by flooding. Allegany and Garrett Counties bore the brunt of the storm, with an estimated $15,831,417 in damages in those two counties as a result.
Individual Assistance Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments conducted in both Allegany and Garrett Counties found numerous destroyed and damaged structures, including public facilities, schools, public libraries, businesses, and homes. These assessments support the need for the requested declaration and assistance.
We agree with Governor Moore that supplementary federal assistance is necessary and warranted under the Stafford Act. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously review and approve the State of Maryland’s request for a major disaster declaration for the flooding of May 13, 2025. Thank you for your timely consideration of this request, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,