Gov. Wolf Visits Bucks Communities Impacted By Flood Damage

BENSALEM, PA — On Friday, Governor Tom Wolf visited Bucks County to speak with Bristol and Andalusia residents who were displaced following Monday's extreme weather event. Local legislators and officials joined him.

Wolf had planned to visit Bristol Friday afternoon to celebrate the $7M in grants given to Bucks County restaurants. But after Monday's extreme flash flooding resulted in damage and displacement across the county, he added stops to the tour to meet impacted residents and view damage in the region.

“PEMA and local emergency officials have done a tremendous job of helping residents and now the clean-up is underway, but people are still hurting,” he said.

Wolf visited a Bristol home, as well as the Lafayette Gardens condominium complex. The complex's residents have been forced to relocate with the help of the Red Cross.

PEMA and county emergency management officials are still on the ground assessing damage in southeastern Pennsylvania. In order to receive a federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance, which provides money directly to homeowners and renters, the commonwealth would need to reach a certain FEMA threshold for the number of homes that fit into the classification of “major damage” or “destroyed."

In order to receive a federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance — which provides funding to governments and certain eligible non-profits to repair or replace damaged infrastructure —counties must meet individual thresholds that are based on population, and the commonwealth overall must meet a threshold of $19.6 million in damages.

It can be difficult to reach federal thresholds, an issue Wolf said he intends to raise with FEMA officials. Local leaders and state representatives contacted his office earlier in the week to ask for a state disaster declaration, in hopes of receiving these federal funds.

“Thank you to the first responders, emergency management personnel and local officials who reacted so quickly to keep people safe and begin cleanup efforts,” Wolf said. “And thank you to the residents of these communities and Northeast Philadelphia, who have pulled together in the face of this crisis to take care of one another.”

A multi-agency resource center with local, county and state resources will be set up on Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday, July 21 from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Keystone Elementary School in Croydon. Bensalem officials have also shared resources and recommendations for impacted residents online.

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