Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union County Declared Federal Disaster
On August 9th through 10th, 2024, Tropical Storm Debby moved from the south through Central and Northern Pennsylvania, bringing torrential rains, flooding, and one tornado. The National Weather Service reported on the severe weather brought by the slow-moving storm that affected communities from Florida to New York. The storm impacted homes, businesses, power, roads, and bridges, with evacuations and emergency rescues in many counties.
In the aftermath of the storm, Pennsylvania issued a disaster proclamation including 28 counties, assisting with recovery and repair efforts in those communities. On September 11, 2024, the federal government declared major disaster in the following four counties; Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union. The federal disaster designation allows residents and business owners to apply for temporary housing assistance, home repairs, property losses, and other resources. Homeowners must submit insurance claims, but for those uninsured or underinsured losses may be eligible for assistance up to FEMA limits.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) have been set up throughout the region, taking applications and providing information and resources to the community. As of October 15, 2024, 1221 people have applied for assistance at DRCs or online, and over $5 million in grants have been approved for amounts ranging between $750.00 and the maximum of $42,500. Several DRCs have closed or will be closing, with the Center in Tioga County remaining open at this time. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance from Tropical Storm Debby is November 12, 2024.
Legal Help Needed in a Disaster
The American Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division (ABA YLD) helps coordinate free legal services that may be needed by low-income disaster survivors, under a memorandum of understanding with FEMA and in accord with The Stafford Act (The Robert T. Stafford and Emergency Assistance Act , 42 U.S.C §5182). The ABA YLD convened discussions with the Pennsylvania Bar Association, North Penn Legal Services, Northwestern Legal Services, and to establish a hotline for survivors to call for legal assistance or referrals. We meet regularly with FEMA to review the current needs and resources in the community.
Those seeking legal assistance may call 800-326-7436 and select the option for disaster assistance. Our staff in the Williamsport office will provide help those who need legal assistance to apply for help through either our program or Northwestern Legal Services, and other appropriate referrals. The hotline will run at least through January 12, 2025.
The kinds of legal problems low-income individuals and families need help with may include:
- Problems applying for FEMA assistance, appeals of FEMA decisions.
- Home repair or contractor issues.
- Legal issues arising from insurance denials.
- Tenants may suffer property losses and be eligible for assistance, or have other landlord/tenant issues related to the disaster.
- Those who have lost their possessions may need help replacing legal documents lost during the disaster such as wills or powers of attorneys.
- Denials of disaster unemployment insurance.
- Disability related and access issues.
- Consumer related challenges related to the disaster.
Those impacted by Tropical Storm Debby are encouraged to apply for legal assistance or help through your local bar association. Private attorneys are encouraged to attend the CLE offered on October 30th and consider volunteering to help those impacted by disaster in our communities.
