Lancaster, PA – On Friday, August 21st the Lancaster County Commissioners issued an Emergency Declaration following the storm on Thursday, August 20th.
The decision to issue a County Disaster Declaration follows Columbia Boroughs’ issuance of their own local Disaster Declaration. Due to significant damage in Columbia Borough, including the complete collapse of some buildings and loss in the habitability of multiple residential buildings and closure of some non-residential structures, the Borough and the County’s Department of Public Safety Emergency Management Division made the recommendation and request to the Board of Commissioners to issue a Countywide Disaster Declaration.
The issuance of this declaration will allow the County, Borough and surrounding impacted municipalities to seek relief and begin recovery efforts more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the issuance of this declaration aids the County, Borough and property owners in the process to apply for State and Federal assistance, and for the establishment of a Recovery Resource Center within the impacted area.
The County, alongside Pennsylvania Emergency Management and Columbia Borough will establish a Resource Center for local residents impacted by Storm Damage. The Resource Center will be open on Wednesday, August 26th from 12:00 – 8:00 PM at the Columbia Borough Fire Department (726 Manor Street, Columbia, PA 17512). Impacted residents are encouraged to contact their insurance provider to receive information on the damage to their properties, vehicles, businesses and bring with them information on all uninsured loss to the Resource Center and speak with representatives on loss mitigation and recovery options. Additional resources that will be available include the County’s Office of Aging, Lancaster County Veteran’s Affairs, Behavioral Health & Developmental Services Crisis Team and other County, Municipal and State Agencies.
The Board of Commissioners will have a vote scheduled to ratify the Disaster Declaration at their regularly scheduled Tuesday, August 25th Work Session meeting.
A final report on the storm will be made available by the National Weather Service once they complete their on-site assessment in Columbia.