WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Susan Wild and other Pennsylvania elected leaders are calling on the Biden administration to declare a major disaster in response to severe storms that flooded the Lehigh Valley in July.
They want President Joe Biden to approve a request by Gov. Josh Shapiro in the wake of the storms that caused millions of dollars of damage in Northampton, Bucks and Berks counties.
- Several U.S. lawmakers who represent Pennsylvanians are calling on the Biden administration to declare a federal disaster
- It stems from severe storms and flash flooding that hit the area in mid-July
- Northampton County says property damages have eclipsed $10 million
If granted, the declarations would provide federal money and resources for affected areas. Flash flooding in Northampton County overwhelmed the municipal storm system in Bangor, leading to severe damage to homes and property.
Forks and Palmer townships also were affected July 16 when the Bushkill Creek overflowed its banks, inundating property that included Bushkill Park.
Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, was among several lawmakers to send the letter Thursday to the White House.
The others included U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.; U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District; U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th District; U.S. Rep. Daniel Meuser, R-9th District; and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District.
“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,” they wrote. “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.”
"... It is critical that Pennsylvania families and communities know that the federal government stands with them.”Pa. lawmakers' letter to President Joe Biden
More than 4 inches of rain came down in parts of the Lehigh Valley in just a few hours.
Earlier this week, Northampton County emergency management officials said damages from the flash flooding eclipsed $10 million but federal support is not guaranteed. They said the current estimates are less than 50 percent of the $23 million benchmark required for a disaster declaration.
