Hurricane Isabel was one of the most destructive storms to hit Maryland in the last 100 years. Since Hurricane Isabel slammed into North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland on Sept. 18, I have traveled throughout our area surveying storm damage, meeting with homeowners and small business owners and visiting FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.

The destruction from the hurricane has been enormous and unprecedented. I’ve toured the destruction with Gov. Bob Ehrlich, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Baltimore City Mayor Martin O’Malley and Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer. I’ve seen what the flood waters have done to Fells Point, the Inner Harbor, the Annapolis docks and business district and the U.S. Naval Academy. And I’ve seen the courage and strength of Maryland citizens as they work to rebuild their lives and businesses.

As a member of the Homeland Security Committee which oversees the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, I’ve been extremely pleased by the rapid response of FEMA. The President issued a Disaster Declaration for Maryland on Sept. 19, and by Sept. 23 FEMA had opened three Disaster Recovery Centers in Central Maryland.

From help with temporary housing to unemployment benefits to psychological counseling, these centers provide "one-stop-shop" services for those affected by the hurricane. The three centers will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. They are at the follow locations:

Arundel Center
44 N. Calvert St., Annapolis

Stanislaus Catholic Church
724 S. Ann St., Baltimore Center

Back River Neck Community Center
801 Back River Neck Rd., Baltimore County

In addition to visiting one of the Central Maryland Disaster Recovery Centers, individuals and business owners should begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves, including insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

The destructive power of Hurricane Isabel makes it one of the worse storms to hit our state. I have been amazed by the damage and destruction I have seen, but I’ve also been heartened by the strengthen and determination of those I have met. From shop owners in Annapolis to homeowners in Fells Point and Bowleys Quarters, Marylanders are determined to rebuild and FEMA will be there to help them.