What's Happening in Catonsville, MD…

Larry Hogan, the governor of Maryland, recently announced that he has requested that the President declare Maryland a disaster area, which would make it eligible to receive federal funds.

The request includes Baltimore, Baltimore County—which includes Catonsville—and Howard County. Governor Hogan specifically mentioned the devastation in Ellicott City, which has been struck by severe flooding twice in two years, but added that other areas in Baltimore and the county had suffered damage.

In Catonsville, high water damaged homes and washed out roads and county fire crews and public works officials helped pump water out of 400 flood basements. Included on the list of buildings that suffered flood damage was Catonsville Elementary School. Fortunately, the flood was not too serious, and the school reopened after the Memorial Day holiday.

County officials said dozens of water rescues took place, and area agencies received hundreds of calls for assistance during the flooding.

When a disaster declaration is requested, it means the magnitude of the event is such that the state and local governments need federal assistance to meet the emergency.

Situations like this are of great importance, so officials might want to work with a brochure printing company to create a booklet for residents listing actions they should take in an emergency, and its aftermath.