Trump Refuses FEMA Aid for Maryland After Major Floods

Federal Disaster Relief Funds Denied to Maryland Amid Flooding

The White House has denied a request from Democratic Governor Wes Moore for $15.8 million in disaster relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support recovery efforts in Western Maryland following severe flooding in May. The decision has sparked concern among state officials and residents who are still grappling with the aftermath of the historic storm.

From May 12 to 14, extreme rainfall caused water levels in Georges Creek to rise to a record 12.4 feet, leading to widespread flooding that forced evacuations in Allegany and Garrett counties. Schoolchildren were evacuated by boat, and over 200 homes, businesses, roads, bridges, railroads, sewer systems, and public utilities were damaged in several towns, including Westernport.

Governor Moore emphasized that the affected communities met federal thresholds for disaster assistance, with $321,460 allocated for Allegany County and $11,674,953 for the state. Despite this, the state’s request was rejected by FEMA. A letter from a senior FEMA official stated that “supplemental federal assistance under the Stafford Act is not warranted,” though no further details were provided on the reasoning behind the decision.

This denial comes amid broader concerns about how FEMA distributes aid. According to a Government Accountability Office report published in May, approximately 38% of individual assistance applications nationwide were rejected between fiscal years 2020 and 2023. The rejection rate was even higher in previous years, reaching as much as 45%.

In states like Maryland and Virginia, where property values vary significantly between urban and rural areas, the formula used by FEMA to determine eligibility for individual assistance may disadvantage residents in lower-income regions. This could explain why Virginia received public assistance for flood damage in April, despite FEMA not approving individual aid at the same time.

The rejection of Moore’s request occurred just a day after President Donald Trump announced disaster relief grants for other states, including West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. Trump has previously faced criticism for allegedly withholding disaster aid from Democratic-run states, such as California, which requested assistance for wildfires last year. Recent disaster relief efforts have primarily benefited states that supported Trump in the 2024 election.

Maryland’s congressional delegation, including Republican Rep. Andy Harris, had urged the president to authorize FEMA funds for the flood-affected areas. After the denial, Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, along with Rep. April McClain Delaney, issued a joint statement calling for reconsideration of the aid. They highlighted the ongoing needs of communities in Allegany and Garrett counties, which suffered extensive damage to schools, libraries, roads, and homes.

The White House defended its decision, emphasizing the role of local and state governments in disaster recovery. A spokesperson for the administration stated that the Trump administration prioritizes empowering state and local authorities to invest in resilience before disasters occur. She also noted that federal aid should supplement, not replace, state and local efforts.

Maryland has faced other challenges in its relationship with the federal government. Last month, the state lost 3,500 federal jobs, marking the largest single-month drop in that sector in nearly three decades. Additionally, Trump recently reneged on a plan to relocate the FBI headquarters to Greenbelt, Maryland, instead pledging to keep it in Washington, D.C., and move it to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

Governor Moore has indicated that the state will appeal the FEMA decision within the 30-day window. In the meantime, Maryland has allocated some funds from the State Disaster Recovery Fund to begin rebuilding efforts. The state has provided $459,375 from the fund, which was created in 2023 but has been reduced due to budget shortfalls. An additional $1 million has been allocated through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“We will continue to stand with our fellow Marylanders in Western Maryland as they rebuild from the damage caused in May,” Moore said, reaffirming his commitment to supporting the affected communities.