BALTIMORE – Since Friday, U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin has extensively surveyed the damage from Hurricane Isabel and commended President Bush for "acting swiftly in declaring Maryland a Disaster area and opening the way for federal relief funds for residents who have been affected by one of the worst storms to hit Maryland in the last 100 years."

The Congressman spent Friday at the Baltimore City Command Center with Mayor Martin O’Malley learning about the damage to the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Canton areas. He also toured the flooded neighborhoods and later met with Gov. Robert Ehrlich at Federal Hill to discuss disaster relief efforts. On Saturday, Rep. Cardin joined Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer in surveying the damage to the Annapolis dock and business district.

"The damage from Hurricane Isabel is one of the worst I have ever seen. It’s important that we now concentrate on helping Marylanders get the federal funds they are entitled to so that they can begin the process of rebuilding their homes and businesses."

The Congressman, a member of the Homeland Security Committee which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the Disaster Declaration will provide important financial resources to help those impacted by Isabel to get back on their feet.

The Disaster Declaration means that Baltimore City and all 23 state jurisdictions are eligible for federal aid. That aid is includes individual and public assistance and provides grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance, and loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need working capital.

Assistance for the state and local governments can include payment of 75% of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures to save lives and protect property and public heath. Federal disaster aid also includes unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who have temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits because they may be self employed.

Individuals and business owners can 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.