Erie County Added to Damage
Assessment
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today requested that officials from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration reassess storm
damage in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties as the state gathers information to appeal the
recent denial of a major disaster declaration by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
The Governor also requested a preliminary damage assessment for Erie County to review damages sustained by residents as
a result of the same severe storm system that inundated the county with nearly
six inches of rain on June 29-30, 2009.
"The counties have informed PEMA that they've received additional damage
reports involving homes and communities that were not surveyed during the
initial damage assessment," said Governor Rendell. "We are asking FEMA for a fair
second chance that takes into account this previously unreported damage, which we
believe will lead to an approved federal declaration that will help speed
recovery from these devastating storms."
According to Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency Director Robert P. French, federal
assistance is necessary to address the unmet needs of affected citizens and
communities. The damage assessment teams are scheduled to be in Erie County on Thursday and in Allegheny and Westmorland counties on Friday.
During that time county officials will show the joint FEMA and state
assessment teams homes and communities damaged by the flooding. The additional
numbers will be used to appeal the FEMA declaration denial issued on July 17.
"Our goal is to get the declaration denial for Allegheny and Westmorland counties overturned," said Director French.
"We appreciate FEMA agreeing to re-deploy teams to work in partnership with our
staff and county emergency managers to ensure all damages are being assessed."
PEMA reminds victims to report any damage caused by this storm to their
local emergency management agencies. Contact information may be found in your
local telephone directory.
Local emergency managers will collect the damage data reported to them
and submit it to the counties. The county will then submit the information to the
state, which will forward it to the federal government. FEMA will then collect
and review the compiled data and those findings may result in the designation
for federal disaster aid for individuals.
More information on disaster assistance in Pennsylvania is available at www.pema.state.pa.us; click on "Disaster Assistance" in the left-hand column.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate
public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find
out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his
newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor