Major Disaster Declarations for DC and Maryland

DC and Maryland Declared Federal Disaster Areas

District of Columbia Snowstorm (DR-4260)
Maryland Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (DR-4261)

• Incident period: January 22, 2016 to January 23, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration declared on March 04, 2016

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the District of Columbia in the area affected by a snowstorm during the period of January 22-23, 2016.

Separately, it has also declared a major disaster exists in the State of Maryland in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the same period.

Severe winter storm and snowstorm caused substantial damage across the state, especially in the counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Washington, and Worcester and the Independent City of Baltimore.

In addition, federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48 hour period during or proximate to the incident period in the counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, and Washington and the Independent City of Baltimore.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide, according to the statement.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, said the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Federal Disaster Declarations (2015)

The federal government proclaimed 43 Major Disaster Declaration [DR 4205-4247] for a U.S. state/tribal area/territory in 2015, two Emergency Declarations, EM-3372 and EM-3373 and 34 Fire Management Assistance Declarations [FM-5084 to FM-5117.]

Major Disaster Declarations (2016)

• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Georgia February 27, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Oregon February 19, 2016

• Major Disaster Declared for Alaska February 18, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Oklahoma February 12, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Texas February 10, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Arkansas [DR-4254] February 6, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared for Louisiana (EM-3376) February 6, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Washington [DR-4253] February 3, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Idaho [DR-4252] February 2, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Alabama [DR-4251] January 23, 2016
• Oklahoma Oak Grove Fire (FM-5118)
• Major Disaster Declared for Missouri [DR-4250] January 22, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared in Michigan [EM-3375] January 17, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration for Washington [DR-4249] January 16, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Mississippi [DR-4248] January 5, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared for Missouri [EM-3374] January 3, 2016
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Arctic Sea Ice for February at Record Low for Second Consecutive Month

Arctic Sea ice reformed or refroze up to 60 days later than average in 2015

Arctic sea ice extent for February was the lowest extent in the satellite record for the month.  Averaging 14.22 million km², it was 1.16 million km² below the 1981 to 2010 long-term average of 15.4 million km², breaking the previous record low (February 2005) by 200,000 km², reported the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).

Credit: National Snow and Ice Data Center

Antarctic sea ice extent

Antarctic sea ice extent reached its annual minimum on February 19, averaging 2.6 million km²,  the ninth lowest Antarctic sea ice minimum extent in the satellite record.