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Officials Assess Flood Damage In Clear Spring, Md.

CLEAR SPRING, Md. (AP) -- Officials have been assessing the damage from a massive flood that damaged dozens of homes in the western Maryland community of Clear Spring last week.

Town Councilman Theodore Hovermale tells The Herald Mail he had never seen water come up so quickly. He says he doesn't remember flooding as severe since the 1940s or 1950s.

In total, county officials say between 25 and 30 structures in the Clear Spring area were closed for safety reasons from the Thursday flood. About 20 homes along Cumberland Street were deemed uninhabitable.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley declared a state of emergency Friday in Allegany and Washington counties. The declaration allows the state to assist local agencies with recovery efforts. It also allows for assessment of damaged infrastructure for possible federal assistance.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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