Chesco's Guidance On Hurricane Ida Donation Support: How To Help

WEST CHESTER, PA — The cleanup continues across Chester County and those who want to pitch in with support for the people and businesses who suffered damage can find a way to help.

Chester County officials have coordinated with key communities in the County impacted by Hurricane Ida to announce donation opportunities that will meet the most urgent initial and longer-term needs of the families displaced by Hurricane Ida.

"We are so grateful for everyone across the county who are giving time, resources, material goods, and financial donations for those in need, and we thank every organization that has coordinated a response," said Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline in a news statement.

"Across the county, we welcome support with furniture donations, financial contributions and ask landlords to contact us where they have the ability to help with rental needs," added the Commissioners.

Monetary donations to support individuals and families whose homes have been fully or partially destroyed, or who have suffered significant loss of vehicles or other items, are being collected and responsibly distributed by organizations in four areas of the county.

Monetary donations may be made online. Here's where to go to help:

For the Phoenixville and surrounding community, go to the Borough's In This Together page to make a donation, and note that it is for Hurricane Ida relief.

For the City of Coatesville, go to the Brandywine Health Foundation website, to donate to the Coatesville Red Umbrella Response Fund. This fund is a collaborative effort of the City of Coatesville, Brandywine Valley Active Aging, the Brandywine Health Foundation, and a host of non-profit partners to help the hardest-hit areas of the city.

For the Downingtown and surrounding area, the Lord's Pantry is coordinating financial donations. Go to the Lord's Pantry of Downingtown page and note that it is for flood victim relief.

For the Avondale and Southern Chester County area, Kennett Area Community Service is coordinating the monetary donation collection. To make a donation go here.

Furniture donations are also needed and should go to the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County. Details of how to make donations can be found on the Community Warehouse Project donation page, or by calling 484-473-4360.

Landlords with properties to rent in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida are asked to contact the Housing Authority of Chester County via a special email: haccidahelp@hacc.net, or to call 610-235-4484.

Other details of all of these donation opportunities, as well as ongoing resources and information to support residents affected by Hurricane Ida, can be found on Chester County's Hurricane Ida information page.

The City of Coatesville issued a Declaration of State of Emergency on Sept. 3 after more than 12 inches of rain fell there in a three-hour period. The statement said 7 inches of rain also had fallen in the two months before Ida's rains came through on Sept. 1, causing the dangerous flooding the City saw.

Coatesville reported 60 homes and rental properties were severely damaged, a high percentage of those having to be condemned as unsafe structures to live in, Coatesville City Manager James Logan reported in the Declaration.

Downingtown Borough also saw homes and roads underwater as the Brandywine Creek overflowed, reaching historic levels. On Sept. 2 the Borough Hall and Police Department had no phone or internet access.

Phoenixville and other Chester County communities near the Schuylkill River system also suffered severe flooding. Home and business owners there are cleaning up, as municipalities encourage residents to report damage.

For additional resources on cleaning up after the flood, please refer to Chester County's Flood Recovery Guide.

For all information and ongoing updates on Chester County's support for Hurricane Ida, and to report damage, go to the Hurricane Ida webpage.

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