State Lawmaker Requests Opening Of Disaster Recovery Center in Upper Dublin, Horsham

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — A state lawmaker is requesting that Pennsylvania emergency officials open a disaster center in two communities hit particularly hard by Hurricane Ida.

State Rep. Todd Stephens, R-151, announced this week that he has asked the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to open a Disaster Recovery Center in the Upper Dublin-Horsham area.

Both townships experienced extensive damage due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Sept. 1.

Stephens' district includes Upper Dublin and Horsham, as well as Montgomery Township and Lower Gwynedd Township.

“Unfortunately, the communities that received the most tornado damage were in Horsham and Upper Dublin,” Stephens said in a statement. “Forcing homeowners to travel elsewhere to obtain information and apply for funds would be irresponsible. A site in the communities most impacted just makes sense.”

Stephens said he made his request following President Joe Biden’s declaration of Montgomery County as a disaster area, which makes residents eligible for federal funding and services to help with storm damage remediation.

Both Horsham and Upper Dublin Townships sustained widespread damage from tornado winds and flooding due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which tore a path of destruction through Southeastern Pennsylvania recently.

The Upper Dublin Township Building was rendered unusable after its roof was torn off by a tornado. And some residents in Upper Dublin and Horsham suffered property damage due to the strong winds and rains.

Gov. Tom Wolf toured both Horsham and Upper Dublin as part of his visit to the affected region soon after the storms.

Stephens, who hopes the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will respond to his call for a disaster relief center, is reminding those impacted by the storms to file a claim with their insurance companies as soon as possible. FEMA assistance cannot aid with losses already covered by insurance, his office stated.

“No matter where the site is located, please file for financial help if you sustained damages,” Stephens said in his statement.

Stephens also urged affected residents to make a list of any damaged belongings, take photos of those items along with general home damage, and to keep receipts of costs incurred due to displacement.