Photo by RehanB

In a letter today, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief assistance for Metro in the wake of this month’s historic snow storms.

The transit agency announced Thursday that February’s massive snowfall cost Metro at least an estimated $18 million — $8 million worth of snow removal efforts, and $9.7 million in lost revenue.

Metro could receive federal assistance through each of the three states jurisdictions in which it operates. The District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia are each believed to be preparing official requests for disaster declarations. But Norton’s request is for FEMA to consider WMATA as its own local government entity, so that Metro-specific funds might be allocated to the system. It’s unclear whether there is any precedent for such a request.

Norton serves as chairperson of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, which has jurisdiction over declarations of disasters. Last week, she similarly requested FEMA funds for the District.

Full letter below the jump.