In Berks County, flash flooding washed away a large section of the bank of Antietam Creek along with the foundation of a nearby building
In Northampton County, the municipal storm system of Bangor was overwhelmed by the intense storm, leading to severe damage to homes and property
In Bucks County, flash flooding devastated a community still mourning the loss of seven victims and attempting to recover from the severe damage to homes and roadways
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6), Susan Wild (D-PA-7), Daniel Meuser (R-PA-9), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Joe Biden urging him to approve a request by Governor Josh Shapiro for a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in response to severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred across the Commonwealth in July. If granted, the declarations would provide additional federal resources for each impacted area, including in Berks County in the wake of damages sustained on July 9th as well as Bucks and Northampton Counties for damage sustained later in the month.
“These Pennsylvania communities would benefit from federal assistance, and it is critical that Pennsylvania families and communities know that the federal government stands with them. We urge you to approve Governor Shapiro’s current major disaster declaration request, as well as any that may follow for Bucks and Northampton Counties, as soon as possible,” the Members wrote.
Full text of the letter to President Biden is below and can be found HERE.
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr.
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Biden,
In response to a severe storm, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred across the
Commonwealth on July 9, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro submitted a request for a major disaster
declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The declaration requested Individual
Assistance and Public Assistance for Berks County and Hazard Mitigation for the entire
Commonwealth. We write now in support of this request as well as in support of extending
Individual Assistance and Public Assistance to include Bucks County and Northampton County
following storms in late July, should it be determined that similar assistance is needed in those
counties.
In the days since the severe storms tore across Pennsylvania, PEMA, FEMA, and local
emergency management representatives in all impacted areas have worked together to protect
Pennsylvanians and facilitate recovery. Under the Stafford Act, only the President has the
authority to approve a request from a governor for a major disaster declaration, an action which
unlocks targeted federal resources to support recovery efforts. These additional resources are
designed to accelerate recovery and ensure that communities can move forward. Providing these
resources in the wake of the Berks County incident and potentially also for Bucks and
Northampton Counties would ensure that the federal government shows up for Pennsylvanians.
We have heard from constituents and emergency management professionals in these counties
about the life-altering damage that occurred as a result of flooding. For example, in Northampton
County, the municipal storm system of Bangor was overwhelmed by the intense storm, leading
to severe damage to homes and property. In Berks County, flash flooding washed away a large
section of the bank of Antietam Creek along with the foundation of a nearby building. The
deadly flash flooding in Bucks County, Upper Makefield Township has devastated this
community as they continue to mourn the loss of seven victims and attempt to recover from the
severe damage to homes and roadways. These Pennsylvania communities would benefit from
federal assistance, and it is critical that Pennsylvania families and communities know that the
federal government stands with them.
We urge you to approve Governor Shapiro’s current major disaster declaration request, as well
as any that may follow for Bucks and Northampton Counties, as soon as possible. Thank you for
your consideration.
