PA Environment Digest Blog: Multi-Agency Resource Center Opens For Berks County Residents Impacted By Flooding

On July 13, Gov. Josh Shapiro and PEMA Director Randy Padfield, in coordination with the Berks County Department of Emergency Services, announced that the Shapiro Administration opened a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) to provide individuals, families, and businesses affected by recent storm damage with in-person access to state and local resources.

Center Hours Thru July 15

The MARC will be open through Saturday and Pennsylvanians will be able to meet with agency staff and local officials in person to get the help they need and be connected with resources, including information about submitting insurance claims, the replacement of vital documents, well water testing kits, and access to crisis counseling services.

The MARC will be located at the Exeter Township School District Administration Building, 200 Elm Street, Reading, PA 19606. It will be open:

-- Thursday, July 13: Noon to 7:00 p.m.

-- Friday, July 14: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

-- Saturday, July 15: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Following a briefing from Lower Alsace Township officials and first responders on Monday, Governor Shapiro pledged to mobilize his Administration to provide assistance to Pennsylvanians impacted by severe flash flooding over the weekend.

“When I met with local officials and residents in Reading in response to the flash floods over the weekend – I pledged my full support to this community. Today, my Administration is following through on that commitment by opening this multi-agency resource center to deliver state resources directly to Pennsylvanians, as quickly as possible,” said Gov. Shapiro. “The Commonwealth will continue to stand behind the people of Berks County and work with local officials to provide the resources and support this community needs as it recovers.”

Following the Governor’s visit, Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll and Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid Mumin have been in regular communication with Berks County local leaders to offer their agencies’ support to the community.

Secretary Carroll has visited Berks County and PennDOT has already begun working with a contractor to clear debris and reopen the roads around Antietam Creek and rebuild the Carsonia Avenue bridge safely and as quickly as possible.

Secretary Mumin and his team at the Department of Education are working with Dr. Heidi Rochlin, the Superintendent of Antietam School District, to discuss how students can return to school in the fall safely.

The Shapiro Administration has been on the ground in Berks County meeting with township and school district officials to coordinate state resources to support the recovery process.

Gov. Shapiro visited Berks County and met with officials and residents earlier this week, and PEMA met with Berks County officials to plan the services the MARC will offer and is leading the implementation to open the center.

Resources will be available from the following state agencies:

-- Berks Department of Emergency Services will assist with referrals to proper resources for individuals who have not yet reported damage to local government.

-- Office of the Attorney General will provide information to help residents avoid fraud and scams.

-- Berks County Area Agency on Aging will provide state and local resources available to older residents.

-- Department of Environmental Protection will provide well water testing kits and answer questions regarding debris cleanup.

-- Department of Health will provide post-flooding safety guidance and information and can also assist with replacement of lost birth and death certificates.

-- Department of Human Services will provide information on benefit replacement, crisis counseling and disability integrations.

-- Berks County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities office will provide crisis counseling services.

-- Pennsylvania Insurance Department will answer questions and provide information on insurance resources, including facilitating contact with insurance carriers.

-- Department of Transportation will provide materials regarding online document replacement.

-- Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will assist with document replacement and resources specifically available to veterans and their families.

-- Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will provide recovery and National Flood Insurance Program information.

Multiple volunteer organizations that help disaster survivors are participating in activation of the Crisis Cleanup Home Cleanup Hotline.

Survivors who need assistance with basic cleanup such as cutting fallen trees; removal of wet drywall, flooring and appliances; tarping roofs; and mold mitigation are encouraged to call (844) 965-1386.

All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to overwhelming need. Crisis Cleanup anticipates that this line will stay active through Friday, July 21, 2023.

NewsClips:

-- Reading Eagle: Gov. Shapiro Visits Berks County As Communities Reel From Flooding

-- Reading Eagle: Resource Center Opening For Those Affected By Flooding In Berks County

-- Reading Eagle: Key Road In Central Berks Reopens After Removal Of Flood Debris

-- MCall: Storms Bring Flash Flooding To Lehigh Valley, Closing Roads, Prompting Water Rescues

-- Reading Eagle: Flash Flooding Closes Roads, Prompts Water Rescues In Berks County; Reading Airport Sets Rainfall Record With More Than 5 Inches

Related Article - Berks County Flooding:

-- Gov. Shapiro Visits Lower Alsace Twp., Berks County Impacted By Short-Duration, High-Intensity Flooding [PaEN]

Related Articles - Flood Incidents Increasing:

-- Guest Essay: Summer Of 2022 Gave Us A Glimpse Into Our Climate Future - PA Should Heed The Warning, Flooding Biggest Threat [PaEN]

-- 2021 PA Climate Impact Assessment: 13% Increase In Extremely Heavy Precipitation Events By 2050; DEP Advisory Committee Discusses Draft Impact Report, Climate Action Plan Dec. 22 [PaEN]

-- Penn State: Increased Flooding Due To Climate Change Will Be Worse In Small Watersheds; Underestimating Flood Risks Due To Climate Change Can Lead To Poor Infrastructure Design [PaEN]