U.S. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in the District of Columbia following significant contamination of the Potomac with wastewater, directing FEMA to enhance response measures and coordinate aid to the affected region.
U.S. President Donald Trump approved the declaration of a state of emergency in the District of Columbia due to wastewater contamination of the local Potomac River "to enhance response measures related to emergencies arising from the collapse of a sewer pipe since January 19, 2026, and currently." This was reported on Friday, February 21, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on its website.
"The president's actions authorize FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardships and suffering caused by the emergency," the agency's statement said. FEMA employee Mark O'Hanlon has been appointed as the operations coordinator for the affected region.
Trump Previously Expressed Concern Over Fecal Odor in Washington
Regarding the large-scale environmental disaster in the Potomac River, the head of the White House reported on February 17 on his social media platform Truth Social. According to him, due to a sewer line break in Maryland, several million gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged into the Potomac.
Donald Trump placed the blame for the incident on Maryland Governor Democrat Wes Moore and his team, accusing them of mismanagement of the drainage systems. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated that the water supply and infrastructure in the state need major repairs.
The Potomac River, approximately 652 km long, flows through the eastern states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The U.S. capital, Washington, is located on the banks of the Potomac.
Leave a comment