Credit: County of Bucks
Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to meet with Lower Bucks County officials and tour the destruction from flash flooding on Friday.
The governor’s visit to the flooding scene has been in the works since Tuesday. Wolf was already planning a visit to the area for a policy event, but the storm changed the focus of the stop, sources said.
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The governor’s office declined to comment on the visit Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sources with knowledge of the planning said the governor will see flooding damage and recovery efforts. He is expected to hold a press availability.
Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, and Bristol Township officials have been working with Bucks County and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) staff to evaluate the damage.
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Bucks County officials said that by Tuesday evening Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, and Bristol Township had received hundreds of reports of damage from the storm. Bristol Township Emergency Management Director Kevin Dippolito said there have been 283 reports of damage in his municipality. Officials were still working to assess the damage on Wednesday.
State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, a Republican from Bensalem Township; State Rep. K.C. Tomlinson, a Republican from Bensalem Township; State Rep. Tina Davis, a Democrat from Bristol Township; and State Rep. John Galloway, a Democrat from Falls Township, jointly sent the letter Tuesday afternoon to Gov. Tom Wolf seeking the declaration for Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, and Bensalem Township.
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Sources familiar with the process of getting state and federal disaster aid said several boxes have to checked before a governor can issue a disaster declaration. For federal disaster aid through Federal Emergency Management Agency, the state has to report at least $19.7 million in damages.
Credit: PA Internet News Service
“The administration is monitoring the situation in communities across the state that were impacted by the recent severe short-duration storms, including flooding in lower Bucks County. PEMA is currently working with Bucks County partners on damage assessments,” said Elizabeth Rementer, deputy press secretary for the governor’s office.
The three towns hit hardest by the storm had 8 to 10 inches of rain in the matter of a few hours. Serious flooding was reported and numerous residents were rescued by firefighters in boats.
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