Gov. Tom Wolf last week visited Bristol and Andalusia to tour communities affected by the recent severe weather and flash flooding. He was joined by local officials and legislators to visit damaged homes and speak to residents.
“I’m here today in Bucks County to see first-hand the damage caused by the flash flooding this area experienced Monday night, and to hear from the residents affected by it,” said Wolf. “PEMA and local emergency officials have done a tremendous job of helping residents and now the clean up is underway, but people are still hurting.”
On the evening of Monday, July 12, heavy rains caused localized flash flooding throughout the southern end of Bucks County and parts of Northeast Philadelphia.
In Bristol, Wolf visited a flood-damaged home and spoke with the homeowner. In Andalusia, he toured the Lafayette Gardens condominium, which experienced heavy flood damage. Many homeowners were forced to relocated with the help of the Red Cross.
PEMA and county emergency management officials were still on the ground at the end of last week assessing damage in southeastern Pennsylvania. In order to receive a federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance, which provides money directly to homeowners and renters, the commonwealth would need to reach certain thresholds for the number of homes that fit into the classification of “major damage” or “destroyed” along with other considerations which are specified on the FEMA website.
In order to receive a federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance, which provides funding to governments and certain eligible nonprofits to repair or replace damaged infrastructure, counties must meet individual thresholds that are based on population, and the commonwealth overall must meet a threshold of $19.6 million in damages. It can be difficult to reach federal thresholds, an issue Wolf intends to raise with FEMA officials.
A multi-agency resource center with local, county and state resources will be set up where victims can get assistance. It will be available Tuesday, July 20, and Wednesday, July 21, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Keystone Elementary School in Croydon (Church Street entrance).
“Thank you to the first responders, emergency management personnel and local officials who reacted so quickly to keep people safe and begin cleanup efforts,” said Wolf. “And thank you to the residents of these communities and Northeast Philadelphia, who have pulled together in the face of this crisis to take care of one another.”
In addition to municipal and legislative representatives, agencies slated to participate in the multi-agency resource center include:
– American Red Cross
– Bucks County Animal Response Team
– Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
– Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency
– Bucks County Emergency Management Agency
– Bucks County Health Department
– Bucks County Intermediate Unit Head Start Program
– Bucks County Office of Military Affairs
– Bucks County Opportunity Council
– City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
– Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
– PA Department of Environmental Protection
– PA Department of Transportation
– PA Office of Attorney General
– PA Emergency Management Agency
– PA Housing Finance Agency
– PA Insurance Commission
– PA Labor and Industry
– Salvation Army
– Southeast Volunteers Organization Active in Disaster
Officials continue to urge residents and business owners to report storm damage to municipal officials using the phone numbers below:
– Bensalem Township: 215-633-3741
– Bristol Borough: 215-788-3828, Ext. 12
– Bristol Township: 267-812-2938
Anyone who repairs damage is encouraged to record their efforts with photographs, documents and receipts.
Municipal officials should report damage to Bucks County Emergency Management by emailing bucksema@buckscounty.org or calling 215-340-8700.
