Governor Tom Corbett on assistance available to those affected by flood waters in Pennsylvania
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Disaster Unemployment Assistance Offered in Pennsylvania Counties Covered By Disaster Declarations
An additional form of assistance is available in the 27 counties covered by the federal disaster declarations for Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. People who are unable to work because of damage caused by the severe storms and flooding may be eligible for federal disaster unemployment assistance if they live in one of those counties.
Patrick Beatty, Deputy Secretary for Unemployment Compensation at the Department of Labor and Industry, says the deadline to apply is October 14th. He says DUA is completely funded by the federal government and applies to those who have lost their jobs as a direct result of the storm and would not be covered under the state’s unemployment compensation law.
Beatty says it’s also available for people who have suffered an illness or injury as a direct result of the disaster and cannot work. He says the program also applies to those who are self-employed.
People can file by calling 1-877-FILE-DUA or by going to one of the Disaster Recovery Centers being established in Bradford, Columbia, Dauphin, Lycoming, Luzerne, Sullivan or Wyoming Counties.
People who are out of work because of the storm, but are covered by the state’s unemployment compensation law, should apply for regular benefits.
Disaster Recovery Centers Now Open
As Pennsylvanians rebuild from the recent flooding disaster, seven Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in some of the hardest hit areas of the state. “We are going to have our agencies right in there in these centers, to use it as one-stop shopping as much as we can,” Governor Tom Corbett explained on Radio PA’s monthly Ask the Governor program.
15-state agencies will be working alongside FEMA Individual Assistance Specialists at the DRCs. “People can go in and say I lost my driver’s license, I need assistance, I need to sign up, or whatever,” Corbett says. “Under federal regulation, an individual can get up to $30,200, because of this storm, if they have the damage.” Documentation of that damage is critical. “If people are listening to this, and they have damage, and they haven’t taken photographs, take the photographs,” Corbett recommends.
The Susquehanna River overtook parts of Bloomsburg, Columbia County. Now, area residents can visit a Disaster Recovery Center at the Columbia County Agricultural Center on Sawmill Rd.
The governor says the federal government has been responsive in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee. “I was in Shanksville with the President when he came in on Sunday,” Corbett explains, “We talked to him, I talked to his chief of staff, and was assured that we’d get the assistance as soon as everything was there, and we got the material to them very quickly.”
Governor Corbett says PEMA and FEMA have been working together closely since Hurricane Irene hit before Labor Day. It was the remnants President Barack Obama has issued two disaster declarations for this latest round of flooding. One makes federal aid available to individuals, the other to local and state governments, as recovery efforts continue.
Anyone planning on stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center should first register with FEMA, online. The DRCs are open in Bloomsburg, DuShore, Harrisburg, Montoursville, Nanticoke, Towanda and Tunkhannock. Check the addresses below for the disaster center nearest you:
Wyoming County Tunkannock Area School District Administration Office 41 Philadelphia Avenue Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Bradford County Towanda Fire Department 101 Elm St., Towanda PA 18848 Luzerne County Community College 1334 South Prospect Street Nanticoke, PA 18634 Dauphin County Harrisburg East Mall 3501 Paxton Street Harrisburg, PA 17111 Lycoming County 740 Fairfield Road Montoursville, PA 17754 Columbia County Agricultural Center 702 Sawmill Road Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Sullivan County at Loyalsock State Forest District Office 6735 RT. 220 Dushore, PA 18626
Bills Would Make English PA’s Official Language
Two similar bills would ensure that English is the language of state government, and that polices don’t show preference for any language other than English. State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) says her bill (HB 361) would not force people to speak English, or outlaw any other languages. “I consider my bill to be an encouragement… It’s encouraging those who come into the country legally, and want to function here, to learn English,” Swanger says. “How could you function in a state where you couldn’t understand anything, you couldn’t read anything? It just seems to me it’s very cruel that we don’t make more of an effort to get people to learn English and assimilate into our society.”
State Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) adds that by nixing all documentation and services provided in other languages, the state could save considerable money. Perry sponsored the second bill (HB 888) knowing that polls show public support for making English the official language of the Commonwealth. “People have their different reasons: whether it’s cultural, whether it’s for safety reasons or financial reasons, and some people have all of those reasons in mind.”
The two bills were the subject of a near three hour hearing, Wednesday, in front of the House State Government Committee. Executive director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, Anne O’Callaghan, testified that the bills were both unnecessary and unwise. “Passing these bills would announce to the world that Pennsylvania is more concerned with shutting people out than with incorporating them into our society,” O’Callaghan explained.
In a statement, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania called it the theater of the absurd. “The burden is on the supporters of these bills to prove why they’re needed and to prove that English is in some kind of danger,” says ACLU of PA legislative director Andy Hoover.
President Declares Disaster for Pennsylvania
The damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee has now opened more than two dozen counties for federal assistance. President Obama has issued a disaster declaration for 19 counties affected by the flooding. 11 counties were included an earlier disaster declaration for Hurricane Irene. Three counties were on both declarations. It means that individual assistance is available for residents and businesses in those counties if they qualify.
Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Bill Brubaker says businesses and individuals should document all damage and register to apply for assistance.
The counties in the Tropical Storm Lee declaration are Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming, and York Counties. The counties in the Irene declaration issued late last month were Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Sullivan, and Wyoming counties. People and businesses must be located in one of those counties to apply.
The help can range from rental assistance for temporary housing, grants for home repairs or low interest loans to cover uninsured and under-insured losses. There are programs for home owners, renters and businesses.
Brubaker says if you have any damage, you will need to apply, because there is a deadline. He says some damage may not be immediately apparent.
Brubaker says home owners, renters and businesses will need to document everything, taking a lot of photographs. The documentation should include whether or not you’ve filed an insurance claim for the damage.
To register by phone, call 1-800-621-FEMA. You can also register on line.
The State Insurance Department is advising residents who suffered flood losses to document all of their damage, whether they’re eligible for the federal assistance or filing claims with flood insurance or home owners policies. You should secure problems to prevent further damage, but don’t make permanent repairs until your insurance carrier says it’s OK.
To learn more about flood insurance go to floodsmart.gov. New policies have a 30 day waiting period. The insurance covers structures for up to $250,000 and contents for up to $100,000.
Insurance Department spokeswoman Rosanne Placey says if you don’t have flood insurance, reach out to your homeowners insurance company to see if any of the damage is covered. Remember that if a vehicle was damaged, it will be covered under your auto insurance policy if you have comprehensive coverage.
For more tips from the insurance department, visit their web site. If you have questions, you can call their toll free line at 1-877-881-6388.
Stricter Fuel Economy Standards Expected to Boost Aluminum Industry
Automakers are making more use of aluminum for new car and light truck construction as they seek to lower the weight for their vehicles and meet the stricter fuel economy standards announced over the summer. A new survey of North American automakers conducted by Ducker Worldwide finds aluminum is already the leading material in engine and wheel markets and is gaining fast in market share of hoods, trunks and doors.
Randall Scheps of Alcoa is chair of the Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group. He says Pennsylvania is poised to benefit with Alcoa’s facilities in the Pittsburgh area and aluminum rolling mills around the state.
Schepps says aluminum is about 40% lighter than steel, so the shift leads to lighter vehicles. He says you have the potential to take about 400 pounds out of the typical car by the year 2025.
Schepps says it does not compromise safety, because aluminum absorbs two times as much crash energy per pound than steel. He adds the safety of a vehicle is really determined by good design and has less to do with the material itself. He adds the industry is continually coming up with new alloys to meet very specific needs.
Schepps says they see a large increase in demand coming from the auto business over the next 10-15 years. He says they’ve been anticipating it and they’re ready to take it on. He believes there’s a great potential for plant expansions and the skilled jobs that come along with that.
Schepps says about 30% of all the hoods are already aluminum. He says Ford, GM and Honda are at the leading edge of adding aluminum to their vehicles.
Some Restaurants and Food Facilities Need Inspections to Reopen After Flooding
Restaurants and food facilities that are normally inspected by the state will need to be checked by the Bureau of Food Safety before they can reopen from flood damage. The State Agriculture Department has brought in food sanitarians from areas not hit hard by the flooding to inspect restaurants and food facilities that were damaged.
Spokeswoman Samantha Elliot Krepps says the establishments can only be inspected after flood waters recede and the facilities are thoroughly cleaned. Food affected by flooding will have to be thrown out. Some canned goods may be salvageable, but they must be thoroughly cleaned with a mixture of bleach and water, and relabeled. She says it’s a very tedious process.
Krepps says food sanitarians started checking some establishments over the weekend. Some were not damaged, but were affected by boil water orders. They needed to disconnect ice machines and use alternative water sources to remain open. Employees need to wash their hands with water that has been boiled. Other restaurants had water damage and there were some that were destroyed.
Krepps says they want to give the restaurant owners ample time to clean up and get their facilities reopened. She says the department’s main responsibility is to protect the public’s health and help the restaurant and food facility owners get back on their feet so they can operate.
Pennsylvania Health Department Warns of Potential Mold Growth in Flooded Properties
State Health officials are reminding people who’ve suffered flood damage to get their homes and businesses dried out as quickly as possible. Damp conditions can be a breeding ground for mold, and it can grow it as little as two days after flooding occurs.
Spokeswoman Christine Cronkright says porous materials can trap mold, so you should dispose of damaged items such as paper, ceiling tiles, wallboard, sheetrock, and carpeting.
You should clean and disinfect damp areas and keep them well ventilated, allowing them to dry naturally to kill all molds. Cronkright says make sure you protect yourself while cleaning moldy areas. This means wearing gloves, such as rubber dishwashing gloves and using a mask or respirator to minimize exposure.
Use non-ammonia soap or detergent or a commercial cleaner in hot water to clean flood-damaged areas. Disinfect with a solution of no more than one cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia, because the fumes are toxic.
Cronkright says sheetrock should be removed to at least 12” above the high water mark. You should allow the area to dry for at least 2 to 3 days before replacing any damaged materials. Make sure you check all areas that may have become wet, including ceiling tiles and wallboard.
Don’t forget to document all of your flood damage before cleaning, taking photos of the damaged areas of your property.
Mold spores in large numbers can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems. People who are at higher risk from the effects of mold include infants and children, senior citizens, people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and people with existing respiratory conditions.
For more information, resources and tips for clean up after floods, visit the department’s website and click on “PA Post-Flooding Information and Resources”.
Flood Recovery Efforts Begin
The unofficial death toll stands at 12, according to Governor Tom Corbett’s latest briefing. “I believe though that a combination of planning, quick response by emergency responders throughout the affected region and the bravery of those emergency crews have prevented that number from going higher,” Corbett says. State officials estimate that more than 2,000 homes have been damaged.
The governor says the recovery phase of the flooding disaster will be long and difficult. “It’s going to be the coordination of the local, county, state and federal [governments]. Many people are going to be asking for help.”
The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds were overtaken by the Susquehanna River. Volunteers are now helping in a massive cleanup operation to get ready for opening day.
Some northeastern Pennsylvania residents haven’t even been able to get back into their homes to view the damage. “At the height there were 21-shelters open, there are still 16-shelters open,” explains Red Cross public affairs manager Janice Osborne. “Our primary role right now is to provide shelter for people, to provide food, and for the immediate emergency needs such as emotional counseling, toiletry items.”
The Red Cross is preparing and distributing 20,000 hot meals a day. Cleanup supplies are arriving by the truckload, but they still need your monetary help. Blood donations are also valuable, as Osborne says many of the blood donation collection sites had to close down due to the flooding.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is warning affected residents not to rush back into their homes, as they must be dried and thoroughly cleaned first. Everything the flood water touched should be disinfected, but many items – like mattresses and carpets – are better off in the dumpster.