The two-day Multi-Agency Resource Center in Bristol Township’s Croydon section assisted hundreds of victims from last week’s flooding.
The center at Keystone Elementary School featured local government, numerous state agencies, represenatives from state and federal lawmakers, county departments, and numerous nonprofits that were able to assist those impacted by last Monday’s flash flooding.
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Daniel Anderson, who went with his girlfriend who lives in Croydon, said the center was a way for her to get questions about her insurance policy answered.
“They told us about what that fine print said and told her what to do next,” he stated. “We never had a flood before at her place. We didn’t know what to do.”
“This was really good,” he added.
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More than 1,100 reports of damages to homes and businesses have been reported between Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, and Bristol Township.
With a lack of state and federal aid for flooding victims, the center was a place many could get information and have questions answered.
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The line for the center on Tuesday wrapped through the lobby of the elementary school and it was busy again on Wednesday.
“It’s very difficult to see so many people in need of help,” Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia said in a statement. “Their lives were uprooted. My heart goes out to all of them, and we want them to know that we will respond.”
Audrey Kenny, the director of the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency, said more than 600 new cases were opened to assist locals on Tuesday. The number for Wednesday was not yet available.
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Residents were able to not only leave with information and with questions answered, they were able to get buckets filled with cleaning supplies and also borrow some of the county’s two dozen dehumidifiers that it was loaning out.
Marissa Christie, the CEO of the United Way of Bucks County, said the event helped the nonprofit connect with flood victims and set them up for appointments at the HELP Center in Bristol Borough that is offering supplies.
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Christie said many flood victims are just getting started in their journey to recovering from the storm. While they’re focused on immediate needs, the nonprofit will be working with many people again down the road as they need new clothes and beds.
“We’re really just getting started here,” she said.
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Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection Director Michael Bannon said his agency worked with numerous people during the two-day resource center. Many questions were about insurance policies.
For residents who were denied insurance claims, Bannon advised people to appeal and get everything in writing.
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“It should be looked at as storm damage from a microburst and not flooding damage,” he said. “This wasn’t the Delaware River flooding everywhere.”
Bannon said people with questions about policies can contact the Pennsylvania Insurance Department or his agency online or at 215-348-6060.
Kenny, the head of the county emergency management agency, said a smaller but similar center is being planned for the area in the coming weeks as officials press for aid for impacted residents.
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Aside from authorities from Bucks County, Philadelphia, and the state, Kenny noted emergency management officials from Chester and Delaware counties came to up to assist run the center.
Residents and business owners who suffered flooding damage have been asked to report it to their municipality. Below are the contact numbers:
- Bensalem Township – 215-633-3741
- Bristol Borough – 215-788-3828 ext. 12
- Bristol Township – 267-812-2938
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Officials have encouraged residents to take photos of the damage, keep documents, and save receipts.
Editor’s Note: Publisher Tom Sofield is a member of the United Way of Bucks County Board of Directors.
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