(Photo: WBOC)CRISFIELD, Md. - For Maryland residents, the news was bleak as they learned they would not be receiving individual federal aid in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Gov. Martin O' Malley will appeal the decision to not allow for the extra money, but for the time being, people in Maryland are on their own.
Crisfield in Somerset County was one of the hardest hit areas in the state when the storm came up the coast. Residents are still trying their best to recover. Life-long Crisfield resident Laura Somers said even after she receives insurance money, there are still $3,000-$4,000 she must pay out of pocket to make repairs on her home.
"It comes hard to know you're going to have to pay that much money out of pocket which we don't have," Somers said.
And Somers is not alone. There are residents throughout the city frustrated and feel they are being overlooked. Many say a simple trip through the city to see the extent of the damage and the number of condemned houses is a clear indication of how much help is needed in Crisfield.
"Some people are without homes and we have been struggling ever since the hurricane came and we need help. We need help. We just cannot do it by ourselves," said city resident Venetia Jackson.
City leaders are disappointed as well. Mayor Percy Purnell said he has spoken to all of the local politicians and believes they are doing all they can for Crisfield and hopes the decision to withhold that FEMA is eventually changed.
"We are a small town in a rural area and you've got to look at the damage that we had, the level of income in this area, which is extremely low and take all of that into consideration," Purnell said.
The mayor says there are still anywhere between 200 and 300 severely damaged homes in Crisfield and anticipates a long winter if people can't get the help they desperately need.
