The proclamation cuts red tape and authorizes state agencies to use all available resources to expedite response efforts for counties that experienced significant damages from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro amended the August 9, 2024, proclamation of disaster emergency to add seven additional counties to include Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Elk, Indiana, and York as ongoing assessments show significant damages due to catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. This amendment places a total of 28 counties under the disaster proclamation, originally issued for the following 21 counties of Adams, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fulton, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming.
The Governor’s disaster declaration allows the Commonwealth to quickly access funds and to provide state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities with ongoing recovery efforts. The Shapiro Administration will continue to work with localities to assess damages and provide resources as needed. Additional counties may be added to the declaration as damage assessments are completed.
“Following the storms caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency worked with our counties to quickly assess the damage and start the recovery process. I have updated the disaster declaration to ensure all impacted residents and businesses across the Commonwealth will have access to the available assistance they need,” 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 deliver help where it is needed and to get appropriate resources there as quickly as possible.”
The Governor’s proclamation makes $5 million of state funds immediately available to assist with immediate response and recovery and authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel as necessary, plus provides $2 million of state funds available for interstate mutual aid assistance if needed. 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 through August 30, 2024, unless extended by the General Assembly.
Teams from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are currently working with federal and municipal partners to complete joint preliminary damage assessments to determine if the Commonwealth meets the requirements for federal disaster assistance.
Any disaster survivors across the Commonwealth in need of recovery assistance should contact the Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (PAVOAD), a coalition of local, state, and national volunteer organizations providing aid during disaster recovery, including clean up assistance. PAVOAD has established a Debby-specific website and crisis hotline 1-844-965-1386. For other disaster assistance available, survivors can contact PA 211 by dialing 2-1-1, or 1-855-567-5341.
PEMA encourages anyone who sustained damages or impact from Debby to contact their municipal or county emergency management office to report it as soon as possible. These damage reports help to provide information for eligibility for potential state and federal disaster assistance.
