After President Trump rejected Maryland’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the May 2025 floods in Western Maryland, citing recently confirmed damages of $33.7 million—nearly three times the government threshold for assistance—Governor Wes Moore filed an appeal.
Governor Wes Moore today announced the appeal of President Trump’s denial of a Major Disaster Declaration for the floods that happened in Western Maryland last May, according to the news release that was distributed on Tuesday, August 19. In a letter dated July 22, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rejected Maryland’s original request, stating that the state was not entitled to assistance. FEMA has confirmed an extra $17.9 million in losses since the President’s original denial, bringing the total assessed damages to $33.7 million. This is over three times the federal assistance threshold set by the state.
Following severe floods throughout Mountain Maryland, Maryland has satisfied long-standing requirements for FEMA assistance. Additionally, Governor Moore stated that this appeal is not only warranted but also essential. As Marylanders in Garrett and Allegany Counties continue to recover from an unimaginable tragedy, I have remained by their side. We are answering their appeal to help them during this difficult time, and we will do just that.
Together with FEMA and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Allegany and Garrett counties carried out joint preliminary damage assessments in the days after the floods. After reaching the assistance levels set by FEMA, Maryland asked the president to issue a Major Disaster Declaration and provide cash for public assistance. Damages to public and vital infrastructure that qualified for public assistance money were confirmed by the rigorous process.
In the past, the president has granted disaster assistance if the joint damage assessment process shows qualifying expenditures above and beyond the county and state indicator. Maryland’s FEMA Public Assistance level is $11,674,953, whereas Allegany County’s is $321,460.
In order to document the damages, we have remained in close collaboration with Garrett and Allegany counties, stated Russell Strickland, secretary of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management. We will keep working to provide the affected communities with all the aid they need to recover.
Governor Moore said in June that the State Disaster Recovery Fund would be used for the first time ever, giving $459,375 in recovery assistance to those affected by the flooding. Governor Moore announced in July that residents in Garrett and Allegany counties would receive an additional $1 million in funding from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Only when the President issues a Major Disaster Declaration is FEMA Public Assistance accessible. Garrett and Allegany counties would receive financing under the program to restore vital public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, public water systems, and sewage systems. The state also asked to be granted access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which offers financial assistance to lessen the likelihood that similar incidents may have an adverse effect in the future.
Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton said, “I humbly ask that FEMA reevaluate their decision and provide the assistance that the people of Westernport and surrounding towns require to fully recover from the devastating floods of May 2025.”
According to Senator Mike McKay, Maryland’s appeal of FEMA’s latest refusal over the George’s Creek Flood represents a significant turning point for Allegany County. Working together with the emergency management staff of Governor Moore, the process has been smooth and results-oriented for our town.
According to Allegany County Commission President David J. Caporale, our county administration lacks the financial resources to handle the entire cost of catastrophe recovery. Important systems will continue to be at risk in the absence of federal assistance. These are essential to commerce, public safety, and the day-to-day operations of our town; they are not just a convenience issue.
