Obama Signs Disaster Declaration For Md.; Senators Call For More Aid
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—Superstorm Sandy will go down in the record books as one of the most expensive storms in U.S. history. Now the federal government is stepping in to help state's cover the cost, including Maryland.
Adam May has details on the new disaster declaration.
The disaster declaration will help local governments. But two Maryland lawmakers say people need help too.
Hurricane Sandy left a trail of destruction across Maryland: beach erosion in Ocean City, crippling snow in western Maryland, flood damage to waterfront front businesses and homes.
"We had about 8 10 inches of water in the basement," said one man.
Falling trees crushed the power grid infrastructure, leaving more than a half a million Marylanders in the dark.
"This was pretty nasty," said a man.
Now President Barack Obama officially signs a disaster declaration for the Maryland.
It makes federal funding available to state and local governments for emergency work and repair.
Governor Martin O'Malley expected the assistance after working closely with federal agencies during the storm.
"President Obama signed what they call a pre-declaration, opening up every asset the federal government has," O'Malley said.
Crisfield was one of the hardest hit parts of Maryland, where flooding damaged blocks of homes, forcing more than 100 people to evacuate their homes.
"My building took a beating, the worst I've seen I've been around," one man said.
Senators Ben Cardiin and Barbra Mikulski are now asking FEMA to approve additional aid that would help individuals on the lower shore with housing assistance.
Some are left financially devastated by the storm.
FEMA says they are still reviewing that request.
There's no official damage estimate from Sandy. But some experts say it could cost the nation $50 billion.
