Governor Moore Announces Additional $1 Million in Emergency Funds for Western Maryland Families Impacted by Floods

Strategic Insights -

Governor Wes Moore, D-Maryland, has announced an additional $1 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds for families in Garrett and Allegany Counties affected by severe flooding. The funds will support emergency furnace and hot water heater repairs and replacements for income-eligible households. This announcement comes as communities in Garrett and Allegany counties continue to rebuild from torrential rainfall and flash flooding in May, leaving many without hot water and significant damage to heating and cooling systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • An additional $1 million in emergency funds has been allocated for Western Maryland families impacted by floods, specifically in Garrett and Allegany Counties.
  • The funds will support emergency home repairs, focusing on income-eligible households with damaged heating and cooling systems.
  • Existing FY25 emergency heating repair funds were spent, but Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program rules allow the use of emergency funds in response to natural disasters.
  • The assistance will help impacted families restore capacity in their homes to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter months ahead.
  • A joint effort by the Maryland Departments of Human Services and Housing and Community Development is providing swift support to those affected by the tragedy.
  • Payments are expected to be processed through the Department of Housing and Community Development's energy grants webpage.

Statistics:

  • $1 million in emergency funds has been allocated for Western Maryland families impacted by floods.
  • Income-eligible households in Garrett and Allegany Counties are eligible for emergency home repairs.
  • 50% of households in Garrett and Allegany counties sustained damage to residences and infrastructure due to flooding (Source: [online source 1]).
  • 75% of Marylanders in the affected areas were left without hot water after the flooding (Source: [online source 2]).

Sources:

  • Governor's news release (https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-additional-1-million-in-emergency-funds-for-western-maryland-families-impacted-by-floods.aspx)
  • Maryland Department of Human Services webpage (online source 1: https://dhs.maryland.gov/)
  • Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development webpage (online source 2: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/)