Federal Agency Approves Disaster Aid for Flooded Ellicott City
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ)-- A day after announcing his efforts to get a disaster declaration in Howard County, Governor Larry Hogan was back in Ellicott City to announce that the declaration was approved.
Surrounded by an entourage of first responders and Howard County leaders, Governor Hogan again toured Main Street in historic Ellicott City.
"Looks like an entirely different place than it was last Sunday when I was here. We're making a lot of progress but it was substantial damage," said Hogan.
The visit comes more than a week after the deadly flooding that left the region in ruins.
Wednesday the county executive gave an update on the current progress.
"From what I hear from the experts that I talk to who are down here they tell we are weeks if not months ahead of schedule of where other people are because of the great work of our emergency management personnel," said Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.
The governor's visit comes with good news for people like David Dempster.
Wednesday Hogan announced his request to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a disaster declaration was approved.
"It provides access from the federal government to small business administration's loans which will help a lot of these folks," said Hogan.
Tuesday Howard County officials with good news of their own announcing that for the time being no buildings would be torn down as initially thought.
"I think it's a really story of hope," said Bob Frances, who lives in Howard County.
Meanwhile round the clock cleanup and recovery efforts continue.
Kittleman tells WJZ work is still ongoing on removing cars washed away into the Pataspco River.
"We're just going to make sure that things are going to be better in the future and that kind of attitude just inspires everybody," he says.