County Officials Assess Damage Left in Irene’s Wake

As the waters of the Delaware River began to slowly recede, Bucks County Emergency Management Officials were touring municipalities hit hardest by Hurricane Irene and the flooding that followed.

“With the record breaking rain we have received this month, the waters of the Neshaminy Creek had no place else to go, but out. We are thankful it began receding quickly, allowing us to start the process of cleaning up the damages,” John Dougherty, the county’s Emergency Management Director, said yesterday in a county release.

According to the release, officials were collecting damage assessment reports from all the local municipalities. Residents are encouraged to contact their municipality if they experienced property damage, lending an accurate account for those reports. Once the reports are complete, County officials will reach out to PEMA and FEMA for any availability of aid.

Commissioners Charles Martin and Robert Loughery visited the flood zone in Hulmeville early Monday afternoon, before heading to Yardley and New Hope, to gage the damage left behind as the Delaware retreated back towards its banks.

“After touring the flood damage, we are poised to help residents claim damage to their property and homes,” stated Martin.

Commissioner Marseglia toured the areas of Langhorne, Bristol, Yardley, and Lower Makefield, particularly concerned about the wind damage; the aged community, who may need assistance cleaning up; as well as the areas that continue to have no street signals working.

“There are many people with interior flooding and significant yard damage,” noted Marseglia. “I strongly urge those with heath risks or conditions that suggest limited physical activity ask for help from neighbors or friends or call the township or county before putting themselves at risk. I am also keeping an eye on the various municipalities where traffic lights are out. This is making crossing a challenge and residents should come to a complete stop and proceed with caution, yielding to one another.”

The Emergency Operations Center shut down yesterday at 5 p.m. For information on continued road closures or damages, please contact the local municipality.

PECO is still working to address almost 70,000 residences and businesses without power and any additional problems should be directed to 1-800-841-4141. The Bucks County Health Department would like to remind everyone to thoroughly sanitize during the clean up process and practice safe food handling after flooding. For more information, please click here.