President Donald Trump approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe on Wednesday, while denying requests from Vermont, Illinois, and Maryland. Several other states remain awaiting decisions.
The declarations allow FEMA to provide federal financial assistance for public infrastructure repairs and, in some cases, support affected residents with housing and other needs.
Trump has approved more disaster declarations than he has denied this year, but he has also suggested reducing FEMA’s role, advocating for states to take on more disaster response responsibilities. According to an Associated Press analysis, the administration has taken longer to approve disaster requests than previous administrations.
Alaska filed an expedited request after back-to-back storms damaged coastal villages, displaced 2,000 residents, and killed at least one person. Trump approved a 100% federal cost share for 90 days. Nebraska and North Dakota will receive public assistance for August severe weather, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota was approved for public and individual assistance after a June storm felled thousands of trees.
Trump denied Maryland’s appeal for May flooding that heavily impacted its western counties. Governor Wes Moore called the decision “deeply frustrating,” accusing the administration of politicizing disaster relief. Maryland had spent over $450,000 from its State Disaster Recovery Fund to support affected residents.
Vermont’s request for July floods and Illinois’ request for assistance in three counties impacted by storms and flooding were also denied. Alaska’s request to rebuild a public safety building destroyed by fire in July was rejected.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the denials, stating Trump conducts a “thorough review” of disaster requests to ensure federal funds supplement, not replace, state responsibilities.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe had spent $1.5 million of its own funds to clear trees and cover emergency costs while awaiting approval. With federal funding now granted, the tribe’s emergency management team can prioritize assisting survivors and restoring infrastructure.
“There’s a lot of work to do. People were hurt by the storm,” said Duane Oothoudt, emergency operations manager for the Leech Lake Police Department.
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