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Assessing Damage from Western Maryland Flood

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CLEAR SPRING, Md. (AP) - Officials have been assessing the damage from a massive flood that damaged dozens of homes in the western Maryland community of Clear Spring last week.

Town Councilman Theodore Hovermale tellsThe Herald Mailhe had never seen water come up so quickly. He says he doesn't remember flooding as severe since the 1940s or 1950s.

In total, county officials say between 25 and 30 structures in the Clear Spring area were closed for safety reasons from the Thursday flood. About 20 homes along Cumberland Street were deemed uninhabitable.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley declared a state of emergency Friday in Allegany and Washington counties. The declaration allows the state to assist local agencies with recovery efforts. It also allows for assessment of damaged infrastructure for possible federal assistance.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.