The Bucks County Commissioners signed a declaration of disaster emergency in the wake of Monday’s flash flooding that severely impacted Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, and Bristol Township.
The commissioners’ Thursday morning action comes as local, county, and state officials have been assessing the total amount of damage from the storm that dumped 8 to 10 inches of rain on the area in the matter of only a few hours.
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“The disaster declaration allows the county Emergency Management Agency to cut through red tape when providing assistance to those impacted by the storms that wreaked havoc in Bensalem, Bristol Borough and Bristol Township,” officials said in a statement.
Bristol Borough and Bristol Township leaders have already declared disasters in their municipalities.
Local lawmakers have requested the governor sign a disaster declaration for the area.
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Several hundred reports of damage have come into local towns, including close to 300 reports in Bristol Township. About 100 homes in Lower Bucks County suffered what is considered to be “major” damage by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), officials said.
In addition to structures, local infrastructure, including Newportville Road, was damaged by the flooding.
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Overall totals for damage are expected to reach into the millions of dollars, county officials said.
Next week, a multi-agency resource center is expected to open in Lower Bucks County. Officials said they will announce details on that center in the coming days.
Credit: Submitted
Residents displaced by the flooding and in need of a place to stay can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 and hit option four.
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The American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania has assisted approximately 150 people across Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, and Northeast Philadelphia, spokesperson Dave Skutnik said.
Residents and business owners are urged to report storm damage to municipal officials using the phone numbers below:
- Bensalem Township – 215-633-3741
- Bristol Borough – 215-788-3828, ext. 12
- Bristol Township – 267-812-2938
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“Please document all damage with pictures and keep receipts of clean up, repairs, materials, and contractor invoices, if applicable. This will be required for reimbursement if State and/or Federal Emergency Disaster Declarations are declared,” Bristol Township officials said in a statement.
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