7/9/23 Storm Updates and Information

MTWP Storm Updates


UPDATE 912/23


Town Hall presentation on flood prevention video link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/ipwQGkPaDqE?si=Z8BmhOOh5O5omVt0


UPDATE 9/12/23

The following is the contact information for the panel members from Monday night's Town Hall meeting.

Michael Stalnecker, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Eastern Area Deputy Director 610-562-3003

Emily Houdeshell, PEMA State NFIP Program Director 717-651-2114

Brian Gotschall, MPA, CEM, Director, County of Berks Department of Emergency Services 610-374-4800

Ed Boito, Local Government Liaison, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 717-705-4704

Nick Dreibelbelbis, PennDOT Acting Berks County Maintenance Manager 610-929-0766

Doug Faber, PennDOT Assistant County Maintenance Manager 610-929-0766

Dean Druckenmiller, Executive Director, Berks County Conservation District 610-372-4657

Mark Buckwalter, PE, Civil Engineer, EWP State Program Manager, USDA NRCS 717-237-2100


UPDATE - 9/5/23

TOWN HALL MEETING - Muhlenberg Township invites residents to a Town Hall Meeting being held Monday, September 11th at 6PM in the Commissioner's meeting room located at the Township Building, 210 George Street, Reading PA 19605.

The topic of discussion is flood preparation, response, and recovery. There will be state and local officials present to provide a presentation followed by a Q&A session. 

UPDATE - WEEK OF AUGUST 21, 2023

Township officials and Commissioners are actively working to provide solutions and relief for residents affected by the storm on July 9th, 2023.

On August 8th, 2023, both Commissioners and Township officials collaborated with Senator Judy Schwank and her team. The aim was to maintain open communication among local, county, state, and federal agencies concerning the storm damage. As a result of these collaborative efforts, a public meeting has been scheduled for Monday, September 11, 2023, at the Township Municipal building. This meeting will involve local officials and representatives from the Department of Environment Protection.

For the latest updates from the County, please visit the Department of Emergency Services: https://www.countyofberks.com/departments/emergency-services.

The Township is currently in the process of obtaining emergency permits to clear streambed deposits within its jurisdiction. Further details on how residents can apply for these emergency permits will be provided shortly.


UPDATE 7/27/23

As a result of the recent flooding on July 9, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would like to remind all municipalities and residents of the requirement to request an Emergency Permit prior to performing heavy work in any stream or wetland.  Heavy work would generally be described as stone, sediment, or sand bar removal, rerouting streams to their pre-flood condition, rebuilding of streambank retaining walls, or using heavy equipment in a stream channel.  These functions may not be undertaken without first receiving an Emergency Permit from the Department.  Emergency Permits may be obtained by contacting Ed Muzic at (717) 705-4765 or emuzic@pa.gov . Typically, Emergency Permits can be issued within 24-48 hours if we have all the information from the applicant and in some situations, EPs may even be able to be done in hours.  We can also be responsive during after-hours and on weekends.

In addition, we would like to remind everyone that spoils or dredgings from a stream may not be replaced back into a floodway or wetland without first obtaining a Chapter 105 permit. Clean spoils or dredgings should be placed out of a floodway and in upland areas for temporary storage until a solution for its proper removal has been identified.

To determine if you need an emergency permit, this handout is useful in understanding what actions performed in a stream would require approval from DEP:  Guidelines for Maintaining Streams in your Community. 

 The following Fact Sheet is also a good source of information relating to Emergency Permits and Emergency Debris Removal:  Emergency Permit Fact Sheet   and   Emergency Removal of Debris from Streams

 On this Fact Sheet, you will find information on the benefits of Stream Restoration vs. Dredging:  Advice on Flood Prevention and Management

UPDATE 7/24/23

If you experienced flood damage and need assistance with cleanup please use Crisis Cleanup to register. Crisis Cleanup crews are working in the area and are ready to assist.

Crisis Cleanup is a collaborative disaster work order management platform that improves coordination, reduces duplication of efforts, improves efficiency, and improves volunteers' experience.

Due to the overwhelming need, we have extended The Home Cleanup Hotline to help survivors of the flooding in the Northeast. We anticipate that most volunteer groups will work through Friday, August 4, 2023. 

Survivors needing assistance can call (844) 965-1386.
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Debido a la abrumadora necesidad, hemos ampliado la línea directa de limpieza del hogar para ayudar a los sobrevivientes de las inundaciones en el noreste. Anticipamos que la mayoría de los grupos de voluntarios trabajarán hasta el viernes 4 de agosto de 2023.

Los sobrevivientes que necesiten asistencia pueden llamar al (844) 965-1386.

UPDATE 7/24/23


VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS WITH STREAMBANK DAMAGE FROM THE STORM 2 WEEKS AGO.

Please note, this program will not provide you direct recovery assistance for damage to your home property BUT PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS. This is an example of the kind of federal programs that can be brought into a flooded area and could be helpful in repairing the banks of affected waterways. However, if the survey effort does not show adequate impact, there is no chance for this assistance. 

If you have a waterway on your property that has been damaged as described at the link, please complete the survey immediately.

If you have friends or family that were impacted in this way, please share to them.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/pennsylvania/news/usda-seeks-disaster-recovery-needs-in?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

UPDATE 7/13/23

The Berks County Department of Emergency Services (Berks DES), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and other state and county agencies and departments will open a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) July 12 to serve county residents with needs related to the catastrophic rainstorm and flooding that occurred on Sunday, July 9.

A MARC is a temporary, quick-response center where a variety of state and county agencies collect in a central location to provide direct support to community members affected by a disaster event. The Berks County MARC will be located at the Exeter Township School District Lausch Administration Building, at 200 Elm Street, Reading, PA. The MARC will be open Thursday from Noon to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following county and state agencies will be present at the MARC (list includes a description of some of the sorts of services they can provide):

  • Berks Department of Emergency Services – referrals to proper resources for individuals who have not yet reported their damage to local government;
  • Berks County Area Agency on Aging – assist older affected population;
  • Office of the Attorney General – information on contractor fraud, scams, etc.;
  • Department of Environmental Protection – safety advice and questions with respect to waterway management and private wells;
  • Department of Human Services – document replacement assistance (i.e. birth/death certificates, etc.), disability assistance services, new benefit applicants, etc.;
  • Berks County MH/DD office – crisis counseling services;
  • Department of Insurance – address questions and information on conflict issues with insurance carriers;
  • Department of Military and Veterans Affairs – assist with replacement of documents, info on veteran-specific programs available;
  • PEMA – general MARC support, disaster recovery information, National Flood Insurance Program information;
  • PennDOT – info on their online driver services, driver’s license replacement, etc.;
  • Department of Health – safety information.

Berks DES would like to remind all Berks County property owners, renters, and businesses who suffered property damage in relation to the rain and flooding in the past several days to report their damage to their local municipality as quickly as possible. Your local municipality is the city, borough or township to which you pay your local taxes. Complete and accurate collection of this information could help Berks County residents and businesses qualify for additional disaster recovery programs.

https://www.bctv.org/2023/07/13/berks-agencies-announce-multi-agency-resource-center-related-to-july-9-storm/



STORM DAMAGE - Individuals who suffered damage to residences or businesses from the storm on 7/9/2023 should notify their local government office so that the damage can be assessed by local authorities.

Please be patient. While the storms were countywide, damage is very concentrated in some specific communities, and they have a large task ahead of them. They may collect information by telephone or may want to put eyes on your damage.

Please be ready with the below information:
Address, description of the damage including the nature/use of the area affected. For basement flooding, were mechanicals (HVAC/water heater, etc.) affected? Is the property still being occupied? IS it believed that insurance will cover any of the damage at this time (if so, how much)?

For rental properties, both the owner (for the property damage) and the occupant (for contents damage) should report separately.

Only damage to occupied structures should be reported, yards, sheds, detached garages and outbuildings not part of a business, fences, and vehicles need not be reported.

Residents - If you have experienced property damage or loss due to today's storms, please fill out the form at the following address - https://www.muhlenbergtwp.com/FormCenter/Customer-Service-4/STORM-DAMAGE-REPORTING-FORM-71

Submissions will be forwarded to the PA Emergency Management Agency as well as FEMA for review and determination.

TRASH & STORM DEBRIS – We are asking residents that have significant trash and damaged items from the storm to place them at the edge of their property / curbside for trash pickup. Storm debris like branches, limbs, etc. can be placed at the edge of your property for pickup as well – Please note: keep your trash pile separate from your storm debris pile. 
  

FLOOD CLEAN UP KITS – The Township and Muhlenberg Twp Fire & Rescue have a limited amount of flood clean up kits that have been provided by the Salvation Army. Stop by the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Building at 210 George Street or the MTFR fire station at 4963 Kutztown Road during normal business hours to pick up your kit.