WASHINGTON D.C. – Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Paul S. Sarbanes (both D-MD) announced today that Baltimore County is slated to receive over $1.39 million from the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. Baltimore County will use this money to elevate houses in flood plains in the Millers Island area of Edgemere, and Bowley's Quarters.

“Baltimore County was hit hard by Hurricane Isabel – and families are still struggling to rebuild,” said Senator Mikulski. “This money is a federal investment in helping families protect their homes from the tragedy of flood. I’m proud to have worked with County Executive Jim Smith to urge FEMA to award these funds to the communities that need them.”

This money is in addition to money awarded to Dorchester and Calvert Counties last week. Dorchester will use its $371, 973 to elevate nine homes located in the 100-year tidal floodplain of the Chesapeake Bay primarily in Toddville, Maryland. Calvert County, awarded $207,100, will elevate five homes, also in the Chesapeake Bay tidal floodplain.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. A community may apply on behalf of individual homeowners and businesses. HMGP funds may be used to fund projects that will reduce or eliminate the losses from future disasters. Projects must provide a long-term solution to a problem, for example, elevation of a home to reduce the risk of flood damages as opposed to buying sandbags and pumps to fight the flood. Funds may be used to protect either public or private property or to purchase property that has been subjected to, or is in danger of, repetitive damage.

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