Van Hollen, Cardin, Cummings Announce More than $1 Million in FEMA Funding for Baltimore County

Latest Federal Relief for May 2018 Flash Flooding Reimburses County for Thistle Road Repairs

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative Elijah E. Cummings (all D-Md.) have announced more than $1 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for road repairs in Catonsville, Maryland. This funding represents the most recent portion of federal relief for the flash floods which devastated Howard County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City in May of 2018. The grant will go through the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to Baltimore County, which is responsible for the remaining 25% of resources. Specifically, the funds will reimburse the county for work to stabilize the slopes of Thistle Road, which was heavily damaged by the flooding and has been partially closed since.

“Quickly and efficiently repairing infrastructure helps our communities rebound following severe weather. I’m glad we were able to provide this significant reimbursement to Baltimore County following the work they’ve done to fix Thistle Road. This funding will ensure the County has the resources it needs to continue addressing transportation issues in the area,” said Senator Van Hollen. “I will keep working to ensure federal support for Maryland communities hit with flooding and severe weather.”

The Maryland Congressional delegation has been working to secure robust federal funding for repairs since the flooding. Baltimore County estimated caused damages of $8.6 million, far exceeding the threshold for relief. FEMA resources for the disaster were initially approved in July of 2018.

“Last year’s flooding had a massive impact on state and local resources here in Maryland. Without federal assistance, the costs of necessary repairs would have overwhelmed local jurisdictions and limited their capacity for other transportation and infrastructure projects,” said Senator Cardin. “I am pleased to have FEMA as a partner in our response to this disaster.”

“Through repairing our infrastructure, we work towards making our communities whole after storms and natural disasters.  That is why I am glad that FEMA has stepped in to support Baltimore County by funding essential repairs to Thistle Road after last year’s flooding,” said Congressman Cummings. “This funding is vital in ensuring that the County has the resources it needs to continue to work on other important transportation projects.”

This federal funding is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act. Repairs started in early April and are expected to be complete by August of this year. Updates from the County on the project can be found here.

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