Even though documented flood damage in Western Maryland far exceeds federal thresholds for disaster aid, FEMA has denied Maryland’s appeal — leaving counties without critical recovery support.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially denied Maryland’s appeal for federal disaster assistance following the devastating May floods in Allegany and Garrett counties — leaving Western Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments without access to federal recovery funds.
The decision ends months of back-and-forth between Maryland and federal officials. With no additional appeal options available, the denial closes the door on a Presidential Disaster Declaration that would have unlocked millions in federal assistance for rebuilding public infrastructure and mitigating future disasters.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, the May floods caused more than $33.7 million in verified damages — nearly three times Maryland’s federal threshold for aid. The State filed an appeal in August after FEMA initially denied the request despite confirming those losses.
Governor Wes Moore called the decision “deeply frustrating” and criticized the Trump Administration for politicizing disaster relief. Federal lawmakers representing Western Maryland echoed that frustration, warning that the denial will delay rebuilding roads, schools, and water systems across already hard-hit Appalachian communities.
Local Impact and County Response
Without a disaster declaration, Allegany and Garrett counties cannot access FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which reimburses local governments for infrastructure repairs and debris removal. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which funds long-term resilience projects, also remains off the table.
Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale said the loss of these funds will “significantly impact” local recovery efforts and leave small communities to absorb significant costs alone. Local leaders across Western Maryland emphasized that the denial adds to the strain on county budgets already stretched by emergency response, infrastructure damage, and the region’s limited tax base.
In June, Governor Moore tapped Maryland’s State Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF) to provide $459,375 in individual recovery support — the first use of the SDRF since its creation through MACo-backed legislation. The State later added another $1 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding for affected households.
Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) Secretary Russ Strickland said the agency will continue working with local governments to coordinate available State and federal resources. Counties remain concerned that the denial could set a precedent for smaller, rural communities nationwide, where disasters often meet federal criteria but receive responses that fall short of those for larger urban incidents.
What Comes Next
With federal aid now off the table, Allegany and Garrett counties will rely on State and local resources to complete recovery and mitigation work. County emergency managers warn that the lack of federal funding may slow infrastructure repairs and delay long-term recovery.
The denial also renews attention to the SDRF’s role as a backstop for local recovery. County leaders have long argued that the fund needs a dedicated, recurring revenue source to cover disasters that fall short of, or are otherwise excluded from, federal thresholds.
With the 2026 legislative session on the horizon, MACo will push for more predictable State support to ensure that communities are not left behind when federal assistance fails to materialize.
Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.
Previous Conduit Street Coverage
No Help on the Way: FEMA Refuses Aid After Devastating Western Maryland Floods
Grant Freezes, Legal Fights, and Shifting Rules Deepen Turmoil for County Emergency Managers
#MACoCon Recap — FEMA Fallout: Facing Federal Funding Flux
State Activates New Disaster Fund for Allegany Flood Recovery
Governor Moore Declares Emergency After Historic Western Maryland Floods
Conduit Street Podcast: Disaster Dollars in Danger — Federal Funding Fades, County Risks Rise
County Emergency Managers to Congress: Protect FEMA, Restore BRIC
