REISTERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - Maryland officials say they intend to pursue federal disaster assistance after this weekend's snowstorm.
Russell Strickland, the director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, announced Monday he has sent the letter of intent to seek assistance to federal officials.
Gov. Larry Hogan says he has directed the agency to work with the federal government and seek all available assistance to support recovery efforts.
The agency says it will work closely with local governments and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to jointly assess damages and costs caused by the storm.
Strickland says the agency will work with businesses and other state agencies to assess damages caused by the storm and decide how to move forward.
OC Pier Damaged
The fishing pier in Ocean City will be reopened this summer despite the damage done by the winter storm.
That’s the promised of Mayor Rick Meehan.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that waves from the storm toppled the T-shaped easternmost portion of the structure.
The paper reports that yesterday work crews were picking their way through what was left of the pier.
The structure was also damaged during Hurricane Sandy in October of 2012 and again in by a storm in February of 2014.
Meehan said it’s not clear how long it will take to repair the damage but was looking forward to Memorial Day.
Delaware Coastline
The Delaware coastline took a beating.
But the beaches of Broadkill and Fowler along the Delaware Bay are still intact.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that other beaches were hit with dunes protecting the shoreline getting flattened by the waves from the storm.
The paper reports the steps from the Cape Henlopen State Park bath house to the beach have disappeared.
Businesses also saw high water with the Bayview Inn at Bowers Beach getting surrounded by 5 feet of water.
Meanwhile, Senator Tom Carper said he was confident that the damage to the Delaware beaches could be repaired.
He took a tour of the area along with the Army Corps of Engineers.
