Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Additional Resources for Counties Hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

Letter

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today wrote to President Obama to urge speedy approval of Pennsylvania's request for additional assistance to counties hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

"This week, I personally visited Pine Grove and West Pittston, two areas that have been hit especially hard by the flooding, and met with constituents," said Senator Casey. "The federal government has an important role to play in providing support to these communities and we must move quickly to get assistance to those in need."

To help rebuild infrastructure, Pennsylvania has asked FEMA for Public Assistance Program help for the following 15 counties as a result of Tropical Storm Lee: Berks, Bradford, Columbia, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming.

Pennsylvania has also asked FEMA to add Bucks, Lehigh, Monroe and Montgomery counties to the list of counties eligible for Public Assistance for damages from Hurricane Irene.

The text of the letter is below:

September 30, 2011

Dear Mr. President:

Governor Tom Corbett has formally requested Public Assistance for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a result of Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene. I am writing to strongly urge that you expedite this request and approve it without delay.

The Governor has specifically requested Public Assistance in Categories A-G associated with Tropical Storm Lee for Berks, Bradford, Columbia, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties. I also urge that the federal cost-share for Categories C-G be increased from 75% to 85% for Public Assistance because of the catastrophic losses from Tropical Storm Lee. The Governor has also requested that the additional following Pennsylvania counties be added to declared major disaster Hurricane Irene for Public Assistance Categories A-G: Bucks, Lehigh, Monroe, and Montgomery.

This week, I personally visited Pine Grove and West Pittston, two areas that have been hit especially hard by the flooding, and met with constituents. The federal government has an important role to play in providing support to these communities and we must move quickly to get assistance to those in need.

Pennsylvanians have suffered greatly during this storm season. In order to ensure that my constituents receive the assistance they need and deserve, I respectfully request that you expedite the positive consideration of the Commonwealth's request for Public Assistance. Thank you in advance for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator

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