 |
|
|
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link. |
Flood Relief and Recovery: The Sunshine after the Rain
They say the sun shines brightest after the rain, and I think the same can be said of our community. The people of Tioga County – from first responders, business owners, residents and even students – truly are a shining light for so many of our friends and neighbors who have been devastated by flooding left in the wake of Hurricane Debby.
First and foremost, our fire and EMS providers are almost exclusively volunteers. They have given so much of their time to train for disasters like this, and for the last several days they have put that training into practice, giving hope and saving lives. While I am devastated to see what so many of our friends and neighbors are going through, I am also deeply proud of how people are pulling together to help one another.
Flooding touched so many areas across the county, but the worst of the devastation is in Knoxville and Westfield. I have spent many hours here alongside our emergency responders, county officials and volunteers, and I am constantly amazed and humbled by the people who just want to help. A number of area businesses have been donating food, water and cleaning supplies, while individuals and families have been doing the same. Food trucks, service organizations and many faith-based organizations have served thousands of meals to volunteers and flood victims. People have offered to pump basements and haul away flood-damaged items to numerous dumpsters in the area. I’m also aware of numerous families providing meals and help for other families they know in need. This is only a small sampling of the ways people are coming together to help.
Even in the face of tragedy, we are truly blessed.
|
Important Information on Flood Relief, Recovery
Report Damage Assessments to the County: Officials are reminding residents and business owners affected by the flood to take photos of damaged items before throwing them away to help document the communities’ losses. Teams of volunteers were out in Tioga County over the weekend doing damage assessments to gather information that will be reported to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to determine the region’s eligibility for state and federal aid.
Anyone who has not yet reported damages to their properties, or who is uncertain if their property has been included, should call the Tioga County Emergency Operations Center at 570-724-9110. Municipalities are also encouraged to report any damage to roads, bridges or other infrastructure caused by the flooding.
Got Pictures or Videos? Tioga County Emergency Services is requesting any photos or videos you may have of the flooding. They ask that the images are geotagged or have an address or description of the location where they were taken. Please email the files to emergencyservices@tiogacountypa.us.
Donations and Supplies: If you’re looking to donate food, water, cleaning or other supplies, the primary drop-off location is Cowanesque Valley High School. Donations of clothing are no longer needed. Other items are being inventoried to better determine what items are most needed. I will share that information on my Facebook page as it becomes available.
People in need of the donated items may pick them up at the high school, or at the Knoxville Fire Department or Crary Hose Company in Westfield.
Monetary Donations: Tioga County Partnership for Community Health is spearheading the collection of financial contributions to benefit flood victims. Please be cautious of donating elsewhere due to the potential of scammers trying to capitalize on people’s misfortune.
For periodic updates on relief and recovery efforts, please follow my Facebook page here.
Other good sources of information include:
Please know I continue to advocate for policy changes to ensure better maintenance of our creeks and streams to help minimize the impact of flooding in the future. I am working to get state officials who are involved in this process to our area to see the devastation. We must streamline permitting and empower local officials and landowners to take the necessary steps to address these waterways and protect lives and property.
|
|
|