Statement from Governor O'Malley Following the Presidential Disaster Declaration for December Storm
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 20, 2010) –Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following President Obama’s official Disaster Declaration for Maryland’s December snowstorm, which brought more than 20 inches of snow to many parts of the State:
“Late yesterday, President Obama issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the December snowstorm, which allows the State and local jurisdictions to recover some of the extraordinary costs associated with that event.
“I want to thank President Obama, Secretary Napolitano, and FEMA Administrator Fugate for acting so expeditiously to help us initiate our reimbursement effort. I’d also like to thank Senators Mikulski and Cardin, Leader Hoyer, and Congressmen Ruppersberger, Van Hollen, Cummings and the entire Team Maryland for their hard work over these past several weeks to ensure recovery of funds related to both the December as well as the most recent February storms, as State and local governments continue to struggle with snow removal costs during this extreme winter season.
“Like the December storm, this latest winter blast brought to our State an unprecedented amount of snow falling at an unusually rapid rate, putting our State and local resources to the test. Together with our federal partners, we will respond as One Maryland, working closely with local counties and jurisdictions to maximize available federal reimbursement funds throughout our State.”
