Crisfield launches online petition to reinstate flood mitigation funds

CRISFIELD, Md. – The community of Crisfield is hoping a new petition will help regain funds lost for its Flood Mitigation Project.

The City of Crisfield has started an online signature campaign to petition the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reinstate the $36 million awarded to the Southern Crisfield Mitigation Project.

“The biggest issue for us is we want to make sure that we give our citizens a voice,” said Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor. “We have spent almost two years working on this project to have a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy and not having this puts us at continued risk.”

In addition to signatures, the campaign allows residents to write why they support the project, allowing them to share how flooding has impacted them.

“It was important because it will ensure that our community remains here, has economic mobility and that our citizens are protected from the damages that happen from the storms that we get so frequently,” said Taylor.

The plan itself was developed by FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Direct Technical Assistance and would raise surrounding infrastructure across town five feet above sea level.

“When we received the word that we would get these funds, there was a lot of excitement around the opportunities for Crisfield, and so we had gotten a lot of interest in businesses that were interested in investing in Crisfield,” said Mayor Taylor.

Now, the future remains uncertain for the flood mitigation plan, but Waters Edge Cafe owner Danny Nelson believes they can get the funding back if community members stick together.

“I’m seeing Crisfield as becoming a resort in the near future and it’s going to be imperative that we take care of this flooding problem before that happens,” said Nelson.

For more information on the project or to sign the petition log on to crisfieldfloodmitigation.com.