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D.C., Maryland ask for federal help in blizzard recovery

WASHINGTON — The January blizzard cost the region time, patience and a whole lot of money. Now local governments are asking the feds for help with the bill.

Gov. Larry Hogan joins Mayor Muriel Bowser in asking the president to issue a disaster declaration as a result of the blizzard that started January 22.

FEMA is still assessing the damage in both jurisdictions from the historic storm, but so far D.C. has racked up more than $55 million in damages and Maryland, more than $31 million.

The hit gutted snow removal budgets that would be helped by reimbursement.

“MEMA worked closely with local governments and FEMA to jointly assess damages and costs incurred and initial estimates have validated the significant impact of this storm,” MEMA Executive Director Russell Strickland said in a release.

FEMA will determine if both areas meet the thresholds for assistance and decide likely within a month to release federal funds, says Chas Eby with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

When DC froze: Remembering ‘Snowmageddon’ 10 years later

Mountains of snow buried the tarmac at Washington's Reagan National Airport. Sightseers used skis to slide through a snowy National Mall. Snow drifts piled up to the White House's windows. Ten years ago, D.C. bore the brunt of what came to be called Snowmageddon — one of the most severe winter storms in capital weather history. Between 1 and 3 feet of snow fell from Feb. 5 to Feb. 6, 2010: Flights at Reagan ground to a halt under 17.8 inches of snow — tame compared with Dulles, which saw over 32 inches.
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