HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Adams, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fulton, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming counties in response to severe storms and catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.
The Governor's disaster declaration – which was issued for counties that were under flash flood warnings and experienced heavy rain – will allow the Commonwealth to quickly draw down funding and to provide state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities as they begin recovery efforts. The Shapiro Administration will continue to monitor the storm and work with localities to assess damages and provide resources as needed. Additional counties may be added to the declaration as damage assessments are completed.
“To expedite resources and cut through the red tape, I issued a disaster declaration in response to the severe storms and flooding all across Pennsylvania, allowing the Commonwealth to move quickly to fulfill county requests for assistance," said Governor Shapiro. “My Administration is in regular contact with federal and local leaders and is working hand in hand with our emergency management partners to understand where help is needed and to get appropriate resources there as quickly as possible. My Administration is going to continue to monitor this storm system and will provide regular updates through PEMA as we transition from response to recovery."
On Wednesday, 45 members and support personnel from Pennsylvania-Task Force 1 deployed to North Carolina to support our neighbors with response operations in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby. PA-Task Force 1 was demobilized in North Carolina earlier today and is in the process of returning to Pennsylvania.
The Governor's proclamation makes $2 million of state funds immediately available to assist with the initial response and authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary. The proclamation also cuts red tape, waiving bidding and contracting procedures, as well as other formalities normally prescribed by law. Per the constitutional amendment approved in 2021, this proclamation will remain in place for 21 days, unless extended by the General Assembly.
Anyone planning to travel should closely monitor weather conditions along travel routes. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices." Information about the state's infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results.
More information about how to prepare for any type of emergency, including how to sign up for localized severe weather alerts and specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA.
Contact: ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov