Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that President Joe Biden has approved his request to declare a major disaster in Pennsylvania following devastating flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby on August 9-10, 2024. The disaster declaration for Individual Assistance makes aid available to survivors in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties.
“The flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby was devastating for many Pennsylvanians across our Commonwealth, and my Administration is doing everything we can to help them recover and rebuild,” said Governor Shapiro. “I directed the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to lead a multi-agency response and state personnel have been on the ground since the day of the storms helping our local communities recover. This federal assistance will make a huge difference in helping Pennsylvanians recoup their losses for everything from medical expenses to home repairs – and I’m grateful to Senators Casey and Fetterman and Representative Thompson for supporting our application for a federal disaster declaration and their work to ensure our Commonwealth gets the resources we need to recover.”
“The damage dealt to Pennsylvania homes, businesses, and infrastructure is too severe for impacted communities to rebuild without federal assistance,” said Senator Bob Casey. “I urged President Biden to declare a major disaster and ensure that Tioga, Lycoming, Potter, and Union counties have the resources they need to recover. I won’t stop fighting to bring Pennsylvanians relief from this terrible storm.”
“Pennsylvanians are tough, but the damage from Tropical Storm Debby has hit our communities hard and they need our help now,” said Senator John Fetterman. “I’m thankful to the Biden-Harris Administration for swiftly approving this disaster declaration and getting federal resources into the hands of the folks who need them most. Whether it’s rebuilding homes, fixing infrastructure, or just making sure families can get back on their feet, we’re fighting to make sure no one in Pennsylvania is left behind.”
“This aid is vital to families in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties and will provide necessary resources to homes, businesses and others who were devastated by Tropical Storm Debby,” said Congressman Glenn "G.T." Thompson. “We must support our neighbors in need and rebuild our communities.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance (FEMA IA) program provides direct benefits to homeowners and renters to assist with uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs because of the disaster. The program can help with temporary rentals, lodging reimbursement, home repairs and replacement, as well as some personal property, medical, and dental expenses incurred due to the flooding.
In the coming days, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will work with its partners at FEMA, as well as with county governments, to organize and open a number of Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in impacted communities. FEMA will have staff available at these centers to assist residents with reviews of required documentation and expedite the process of applying for recovery aid.
PEMA continues to work closely with federal and municipal partners to determine if damages are sufficient to reach the federal indicators for Public Assistance (FEMA PA) funding.
Last week, Governor Shapiro and PEMA Director Randy Padfield visited Westfield to meet with Pennsylvanians impacted by catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Governor Shapiro visited with impacted residents on Potter Brook Road; stopped by MacKnights Agway, a local business currently closed due to flooding; and met with firefighters and first responders at Crary Hose Company. The Governor was joined by Rep. Clint Owlett and Tioga County Commissioners Shane Nickerson, Sam Vanloon, and Marc Rice.
In response to the disaster, Governor Shapiro quickly issued a Commonwealth proclamation of disaster emergency for 21 counties on August 9, 2024, and amended it to 28 counties on August 20, 2024, to provide immediate response and recovery assistance to affected Pennsylvanians. The Governor’s disaster declaration allows the Commonwealth to quickly draw down funding and to provide state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities with ongoing recovery efforts.
Additionally, PEMA deployed a 19-member multi-agency Incident Management Team (PA-IMT) to Tioga County to assist with recovery support operations. The PA-IMT is made up of specialists trained in disaster response and recovery operations, including personnel from the PEMA, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Departments of Corrections, Conservation & Natural Resources, and Health.
The PA-IMT embedded with municipal and county teams to aid efforts to help the community get back on their feet – and even helped Pennsylvanians recover some irreplaceable belongings, including a journal that belonged to a Pennsylvania senior in Westfield.
The Shapiro Administration will continue to work with impacted communities to assess damages and to provide state resources as needed.
More information on FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is available online.
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