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FEMA denies disaster aid for Baltimore riot costs

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The Maryland Emergency Management Agency says federal officials have denied the state's request for a disaster declaration stemming from civil unrest in Baltimore after the police-involved death of Freddie Gray.

Spokesman Chas Eby told The Associated Press in an email Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent Maryland an initial denial of a request the state submitted last month. Such denials can be appealed.

A disaster declaration would allow public agencies or individuals, or both, to seek reimbursement for disaster-related costs.

In his request, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan cited a Baltimore city preliminary estimate that the rioting and looting in April, followed by a five-night, city-wide curfew, had an economic impact of $30.5 million.

Baltimore officials have reserved $20 million to cover direct costs, including police overtime.