Hurricane Irene unleashed havoc up and down the East Cost of the United States. Even though the storm lost some strength and eventually turned into a tropical storm, many states suffered a lot of damage. Pennsylvania was among the states that sustained some damage from the mammoth storm. While the destruction was not the scope of what is being seen in other states, like Vermont, Irene made her presence felt in the Keystone State. The extent of the damage has led Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett to request federal disaster aid to the state and affected areas recover.
What kind of damage did Pennsylvania sustain?
Four counties in the state -- Northampton, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming -- suffered around $32 million in damage. Other counties that saw torrential rains and flooding are still adding up the numbers, which means the total damage sustained will likely be far higher.
What does requesting federal aid mean?
The request for federal aid means that, if approved, state and local officials could apply to have for federal help to cover 75 percent of eligible Irene-related costs. The request was submitted by Governor Corbett in a letter to President Obama. The first step on the part of the President would be to declare the affected counties disaster areas.
Has the governor seen the damage?
Gov. Corbett has toured many damaged regions by air and land. He has taken a first-hand look at the aftermath of the powerful storm that forced many Pennsylvania residents from their homes. The governor toured northeastern Pennsylvania, and the Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley toured Bucks County since he is a former resident. Plus, Sen. Bob Casey toured damaged areas of Wyoming County, which will help the state's requisition.
Why ask for federal help?
As just about every resident of the state knows, Pennsylvania has made massive cuts to the budget due to financial issues. Of course, that means natural disasters, like Irene, can play havoc with cash-strapped states that are not in a good position to recover. Many counties and municipalities simply do not have the money to make costly repairs, the federal money would go a long way for small and large communities to clear debris and rebuild.
Jason Gallagher is a long-time Pennsylvania resident. He has experiences in trends and developments in many regions from having lived in many parts of the Keystone State, and currently resides in the Pittsburgh area.
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