WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski (both D-MD) were joined members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation today in applauding President Barack Obama for issuing a Declaration of Disaster for Maryland in wake of Hurricane Irene.  Other members of the Delegation praising the President’s Disaster Declaration include: U.S Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Roscoe E. Barlett, Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards and Andy Harris.

The Disaster Declaration means that Maryland is now eligible for federal disaster recovery dollars through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), ensuring the already strained state budget is not stretched any thinner as a result of another natural disaster.  In declaring that  a major disaster exists in the State of Maryland, President Obama ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Irene during the period of August 24 to September 5, 2011.

“As members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation, we have been united throughout this process in urging the President to issue a Disaster Declaration for Maryland in the wake of Hurricane Irene,” said members of the Delegation. “We are pleased that the President recognized the full extent of the damage that was caused and that he has taken action to help communities recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Irene.”

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene in the counties of Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester.  Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

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