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Floods

Shapiro Administration Announces $6 Million in Flood Recovery Projects Across Nine Pennsylvania Counties

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency are leveraging federal funds to allocate more than $6 million to restore communities damaged by Tropical Storm Debby in nine counties. The projects, part of the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, will provide funding for implementation of 79 projects in Cameron, Elk, Huntingdon, Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, Snyder, Susquehanna, and Union counties. The funding aims to address pressing environmental concerns such as flooding and stream issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are providing matching funds to support the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
  • The program will provide $6 million in funding for 79 projects across nine counties impacted by Tropical Storm Debby in August 2024.
  • The funding will address threats such as debris-clogged waterways, unstable streambanks, and severe erosion, with a focus on stabilizing streambanks and protecting lives, livelihoods, and property.
  • The Shapiro administration's efforts to secure funding and declare a disaster emergency under the Major Disaster Declaration will provide additional resources for recovery efforts.
  • The governor's disaster declaration will enable the Commonwealth to access state funding and provide necessary resources for county and municipal governments to recover from the flooding.
  • Governor Shapiro quickly issued a Commonwealth proclamation of disaster emergency for 21 counties on August 9, 2024, and amended it to 28 counties on August 20, 2024, to provide immediate response and recovery assistance to affected Pennsylvanians.
  • The Governor's disaster declaration allowed the Commonwealth quick access to state funding and provided state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities with recovery efforts.
  • The administration secured multiple declarations, including a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, the Individual Assistance program, and Public Assistance program, which will provide aid for families, households, and community infrastructure.

Statistics:

  • $6 million in flood recovery funding allocated for 79 projects across nine counties
  • 21 counties initially declared a disaster emergency on August 9, 2024
  • 28 counties amended to disaster declaration on August 20, 2024
  • 79 projects funded across Cameron, Elk, Huntingdon, Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, Snyder, Susquehanna, and Union counties

Sources:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (July 18, 2025)
  • Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (July 18, 2025)

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