Storm-damaged Pa. counties eligible for FEMA aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says Pennsylvanians in more than two dozen counties–including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia–with any flood damage should apply for federal disaster aid in the wake of Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee.

It’s not just county governments in Pennsylvania that can request federal aid to help with flooding cleanup, but individuals.

FEMA spokesman Bill Brubaker says people who even “suspect* their property was damaged as a result of Tropical Storm Lee or Hurricane Irene should register with FEMA within the next two months to determine if they are eligible for some kind of assistance.

“It’s also important even if you don’t think you have damage. Down the line, you may have damage,” Brubaker said. “Mold is a good example. It doesn’t show up right away, it may show up weeks or months later.

“And if you’re not in the system, you know there is a window of application, and once that window closes, then you can’t get into it,” he said.

FEMA is in the process of assessing flood damage statewide, so more counties may be added to the list of those that can get federal funding for cleanup and dealing with post-flood dilemmas.

To be eligible, people must live in one of the 11 counties designated as disaster areas from remnants of Hurricane Irene or the 19 counties hardest hit by Tropical Storm Lee.

Irene-damaged counties are Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Wyoming and Wayne.

Lee-damaged counties are Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming and York.

To register by phone, call 1-800-621-FEMA. Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.