President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration In PA
Source: Patch
SOUTHEASTERN PA President Joe Biden has approved Pennsylvania's request for a major disaster declaration to be issued following the devastating impact of the remnants of Hurricane Ida on the region. The move clears the way for the allocation of significant federal aid and resources to local, county, and state governments to assist in recovery.
The historic storm brought at least $117 million in damages to public infrastructure in the state. Biden's approval seemed a given, as the threshold to receive aid is just $19.7 million. Residents in the hardest hit counties in the southeast, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York, are eligible for individual assistance
"Pennsylvanians continue to recover from this deadly storm, which is why my administration made it a top priority to quickly seek federal assistance," Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement. "I'm grateful our president has responded swiftly, and the federal government worked with state and local officials to conduct damage assessments and determined that Pennsylvanians are deserving of this critical federal aid. Pennsylvanians will now have opportunities to receive financial assistance, which will go a long way toward replacing and restoring their property."
To administer the federal aid, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will work closely with FEMA. "A number" of disaster recovery centers will be opened in some of the hardest hit areas, although exact announcements have not yet been made. Temporary centers were open briefly in Montgomery and Chester counties last week. FEMA staff will be on hand at this new centers to assist residents with documents and applying for recovery aid.
Read more: https://patch.com/pennsylvania/norristown/president-biden-approves-major-disaster-declaration-pa
This kinda got lost in all the 9/11 coverage over the weekend and I thought I had heard a blip but nothing about Biden doing a disaster declaration for here in PA. I got a ReadyPhiladelphia email a couple hours ago (part of the Ready.gov blasts) announcing that people here impacted by Ida's flooding, would now be able to apply to FEMA for aid and I was like, huh? When did that happen?
That storm not only flooded out parts of the city and 'burbs (posted about a lot by me) but people in the surrounding suburbs were treated to 7 tornadoes, ranging from EF0 - EF3.