Gov. Tom Wolf Friday sent a letter to the President requesting federal disaster aid for Allegheny and Westmoreland counties to help offset the financial burden of the result of severe weather that caused multiple landslides and infrastructure damage during February, March and April.

“The string of severe storms across much of western Pennsylvania was unprecedented,” Gov. Wolf said. “The severity and magnitude of this extended severe weather stretched our Commonwealth resources well beyond their limits, which is why supplemental federal assistance is now necessary.”

The major disaster declaration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency would provide federal funding to local, county and state governments, as well as certain eligible non-profits in those counties through the Public Assistance program.

Applicants can be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the costs incurred on eligible expenses, which can include but are not limited to: payroll, contracts, repairs to damaged or destroyed infrastructure, equipment rentals and materials.

The overall total costs associated with this request, as validated by the Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted by PEMA, FEMA, along with county and local officials are $22 million.

The governor signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, which is a required step in order to request federal aid, for this incident on June 4, 2018.

Click Here for a copy of the Governor’s letter.

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[Posted: June 22, 2018]

6/25/2018