Federal Disaster Aid Approved for Debby Disaster in Four Counties 

Yesterday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance was approved for individuals in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties affected by Tropical Storm Debby from August 9-10. The assistance makes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.  

Public assistance, which would provide relief to governments and non-profits that experienced losses due to Debby, were not part of the approval, but may be granted if reported damages reach federal thresholds. Additional assistance may be granted for individuals in other counties if damage assessments reach required thresholds.  

Township officials in all affected counties (see list below) are strongly encouraged to complete preliminary damage assessments in their townships and coordinate with their county emergency management agencies as soon as possible to determine federal aid eligibility. Affected counties included in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s disaster declaration are: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Fulton, Indiana, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming. Affected townships are also urged to verify that their SAM.gov registration is in active status.  

For more details on how impacted individuals and businesses in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties may apply for assistance, click here for the governor’s press release and here for the FEMA press release. PEMA’s Emergency Management for Municipal Officials Handbook includes tip sheets, damage assessment forms, and local disaster declarations and extensions.