Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Ready To Reopen 1 Year After Flood

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Columbia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

BLOOMSBURG – Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley reached to a sign posted at the high water mark of the wall of a restroom at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.

“I can barely touch it,” Cawley said.

The last time he toured the fairgrounds, the water dumped during the twin storms of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee had just receded from the high point on Sept. 9, 2011.

Mud smeared the grounds, and the board of directors canceled the fair for the first time in 157 years.

On Thursday, Cawley returned to rebuilt grounds as vendors set up stands and owners parked collectible cars inside buildings for an automobile show that starts Friday.

Read more: http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/540390/Bloomsburg-fairgrounds-ready-to-reopen-1-year-after-flood.html?nav=5009

State Criticizes Met-Ed, PPL On Outages

 

English: Hurricane Irene over North Carolina, United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Met-Ed and PPL electric utilities have to improve their tree-trimming and line maintenance so that preventable outages like those that occurred during the major storms of 2011 can be reduced or eliminated.

The utilities also must be more responsive to customers during major storms, according to three reports critical of the utilities, issued this week by the state Public Utility Commission.

The reports were ordered in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene last August, flooding rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee in early September, and the freak late October snowstorm.

“Tree trimming should be a primary concern for both the (electric utilities) and commission for its effect on reliability as well as its role in long-duration outages,” the report said.

Raed more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=407845

Montgomery County Residents Eligible For FEMA Assistance After Irene

Montgomery County residents are eligible to receive Individual Assistance for damage that occurred as a result of Hurricane Irene now that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has added the County to its Major Disaster Declaration.

Uninsured and under-insured homeowners, renters and businesses are eligible to receive grants for temporary housing, home repair, home replacement and permanent housing construction…

Click here for details: http://www.timesherald.com/articles/2011/09/14/news/doc4e70f50da6a8b085684529.txt

 

Obama Declares Pennsylvania Disaster Area After Irene

Today, President Obama agreed with Governor Corbett’s request and declared Pennsylvania a disaster area.  This declaration opens up much-needed federal aid for our state!

Governor Corbett declared 11 counties disaster areas after Irene sloshed through Eastern Pennsylvania causing flooding and wind damage in its wake.  The 11 counties are Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Wyoming and Wayne.

This is great news for municipalities hit with unexpected storm related expenses.

Irene Damage Causing Tourist Cancellations For New England Fall Season

Image via Wikipedia

Vermont’s Governor says the state is open for business and large parts of Vermont were unaffected by Irene.  Cancellations are coming in from tourists concerned about damage from the storm.  A few September festivals were cancelled and a few inns closed due to storm damage.  Otherwise, Vermont is ready for tourists.  The fall leaf season brings in $300 million in business each year.  Next door neighbor New Hampshire brings in $1 billion from fall tourism.

Vermont resorts are hoping their ski season is unaffected.  That will depend on how fast some roads are repaired.

Best bet is to research the situation before cancelling your plans.  You can check out this website for a starting place if you have plans to travel to Vermont this fall, http://travel-vermont.com/

Eleven Counties In Pennsylvania On List For Potential Federal Disaster Assistance

Image via Wikipedia

Governor Corbett has asked President Obama to declare eleven Pennsylvania counties disaster areas, which would begin the process of applying and qualifying for federal aid.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said Monday the list so far includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Wyoming and Wayne counties.  More counties may be added.

Governor Corbett and Lt. Governor Cawley are touring areas of the state ravaged by Hurricane Irene.

Irene Leaves More Than Two Dozen People Dead In U.S.

Irene claimed 27 lives in eight states according to CBS.

New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority has begun rebooting their massive system which was entirely shut down for the first time in its history due to weather.

13,000 flights were cancelled, nearly 5 million homes and business lost power at some point during the storm and damage is estimated at $7 billion dollars.

Already people are pointing fingers and crying overreaction.  I say better to overreact and save lives.  Things could have been much worse and we should be thankful for that.

Memorial Park In Pottstown Is Closed Due To Flooding

The Mighty Manatawny has flooded Memorial Park in Pottstown.  Memorial Park is closed and police are asking residents to stay clear of the park as conditions are dangerous.

The bridge between the island and the rest of the park is in danger of being destroyed by pressure from high water and trapped debris.

King Of Prussia Mall Open Today

King of Prussia Mall has re-opened and resumed its regular business hours (the mall will open at 11 a.m.) We thank our shoppers, retailers and mall employees for their cooperation throughout the situation involving Hurricane Irene.

Irene Causes Damage In The Hylton State Forest aka Pottstown

Sixth Ward Councilor and Man of the People Jody Rhoads was out and about this morning assessing storm damage in our fair borough.  Here are some photos Jody took around Pottstown showing the tree damage caused by Hurricane Irene.  Some of it is extensive.  Notice the curb tree damage.  Many thanks to Councilor Rhoads for sharing his photographs with our readers!

Wilkes-Barre Closes Flood Gates In Preparation For High Water

The Wilkes-Barre Department of Public Works has closed flood gates to bridges over Solomon’s Creek on South Franklin Street, Regent Street, Waller Street and Barney Street, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Irene.  Those bridges will be closed to traffic for at least 24 hours.

Harrisburg Area Hotels Reach Capacity – Irene Drives People West

Harrisburg area hotels are filled this weekend.  Many guests are checking in from NY, NJ and DE.  They are fleeing Hurricane Irene.

Area hotels are diverting business to Carlisle as they have reached capacity.  One local hotel manager contacted 20 other Harrisburg area hotels looking for anyone with a vacancy, but they were all full.

If you are looking to head inland to escape Irene, you will have to look somewhere else!  Harrisburg is booked!

Philadelphia International Airport Closing Tonight

NBC 10 in Philadelphia is reporting that the Philadelphia International Airport is closing at 10:30 pm this evening and will reopen at 4:00 pm tomorrow, due to Hurricane Irene.

King Of Prussia Mall Closing At 5pm Today!

King of Prussia Mall (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Due to the anticipated impact of Hurricane Irene, King of Prussia Mall will be closing at 5 p.m. as a precautionary measure to help ensure the safety of shoppers, retailers and mall employees. The mall expects to re-open tomorrow at 11 a.m. for regular business hours. Should that change, more information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

SEPTA TO HALT SERVICE DURING HURRICANE IRENE

Image via Wikipedia

All SEPTA Services To Be Suspended During Hurricane Irene. Operations to Halt at 12:30 a.m. Sunday; Services to Resume Mid-Day Sunday, As Conditions Permit.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 26, 2011)

In the interest of public safety, with a hurricane of historic proportions approaching the region, SEPTA will cease all transportation operations at12:30 a.m. Sunday.

All trips scheduled after 12:30 a.m. Sunday will be cancelled.  Service is not expected to resume until at least mid-day Sunday, following damage assessments and repairs. Service will resume on a route-by-route basis, based on conditions.

SEPTA strongly urges all customers who normally ride the system during this time period to make arrangements to go to your destination well in advance of the storm and be prepared to remain safely at that location until the storm has passed and service has resumed.

Announcements regarding the resumption of service will be announced through the Office of the Mayor of Philadelphia and SEPTA’s Website, www.septa.org.

All SEPTA employees normally assigned to work during the period of the shutdown or who are assigned to emergency duty are required to report to work at their assigned locations.

Pottstown Borough Staff Have Taken Proactive Measures To Deal With Irene

Jason Bobst, Pottstown Borough Manager, reported that the Borough of Pottstown has taken a number of steps to make sure residents have the services they need once the hurricane hits; and in the case of a worst possible scenario, a place to go!

The water and sewer plants have enough diesel fuel to run on until Tuesday, in the event electricity is lost.

A temporary shelter is being set up at Pottstown High School in the event that anyone in Western Montgomery County is forced from their home and needs shelter.

Jason is also asking residents to please not drive through barricaded areas where there is high water.  Someone always does this and has to be rescued.  FYI… if you do this and get caught you will get a summary violation and fined.  This typically happens on Industrial Hwy or College Drive.

Borough employees are also ready to deal with fallen trees in the Hylton State Forest.  They have the equipment in place to handle any trees that are toppled by the storm and dispose of them.

Pottstown will wait a while longer before deciding to declare a state of emergency.  If this happens the borough will work with local fire departments to alert residents in the evacuation areas.

Two Roy’s Rants thumbs up to the borough for being proactive!

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett Delcares State Of Emergency

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett declared a state of emergency today.  Hurricane Irene is expected to dump up to ten inches of rain on southeastern Pennsylvania along with winds gusting to over 60 miles per hour!

Hurricane Irene is expected to reach southeastern Pennsylvania by Saturday.

Pennsylvanians can find suggestions on how to prepare for the storm at the website www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READY-PA.

The Jersey Shore Under Mandatory Evacuation

Image via Wikipedia

New Jersey’s popular seaside destinations are normally full of tourists this time of year.  Hundreds of thousands of people swell the population along the New Jersey coastline in the summer.  Right now residents and tourists are being told they must leave because Hurricane Irene is expected to cause major damage and flooding along the coast.

Tolls were suspended on the Atlantic City Expressway to move people away from the shore points as quickly as possible.  The Atlantic City Expressway is the fastest way north and west toward Philadelphia from many beach resorts.  Some state roads are closed to southbound traffic so all lanes can be used by northbound traffic.  Eastbound Route 72 will be shut down tonight so that all lanes can be used to move people off Long Beach Island.

Cape May, the Wildwoods, Ocean City, Atlantic City hotels and casinos, Long Beach Island and everything in between is emptying out.  Governor Christie declared a state of emergency yesterday.