STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FROM FEBRUARY STORMS

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement following President Obama’s major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland, triggering the release of federal funds to help communities recover from the Severe Winter Storms in February. A dollar amount does not immediately accompany this declaration, but rather it begins the process of totaling reimbursable expenses with local and state emergency response agencies over the course of the coming months.

“I want to thank President Obama and FEMA for this commitment of funding, as State and local emergency response agencies continue to recover from the unanticipated costs associated with this winter’s storms. I’d also like to thank Maryland’s Congressional Delegation for showing a real team effort and advocating at a time of crisis.

“For several days, thousands of men and women in Maryland stepped forward to help their fellow citizens get through this historic weather event. We look forward to working closely with FEMA officials as they assess the storms’ damage to our communities, and the extraordinary efforts of our first responders to keep Marylanders safe.”