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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Paul Costa |
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Costa urges Allegheny residents to report flood damage
HARRISBURG, July 30 – State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, is encouraging area residents to immediately report any damage they suffered from the June 16-17 storms and flooding.
"The federal government's denial to declare last month's rain storms a 'major disaster' has left many Allegheny County residents to pick up the pieces of their homes, lives and neighborhoods without any outside support," Costa said. "But Allegheny County residents and officials are not giving up, and appealing FEMA's decision is the right course of action."
In a communication to the governor, FEMA said it denied the request for emergency federal disaster aid for the area because the information they collected damage caused by the storms did not show that the damage was of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies. FEMA deemed that federal assistance was not necessary.
Costa said FEMA has agreed to revisit the area on Friday, July 31, to re-assess the damage and support services needed for residents.
Costa is encouraging his constituents to immediately report any damage they suffered from the storms to their municipal office, where they pay their local taxes. The total cost of the damage suffered by families and businesses in the county will be an important factor in determining if the county's appeal is successful and it qualifies for federal aid, he said.
Costa urged constituents who fit into one or more of the following categories to report their damage:
• A resident who has not yet reported their
damage due to the storms of June 16 and 17.
• A resident who has not been able to afford repairs to their home.
• A resident who has not been able to return to their home.
• A resident who has mold or mildew in their home as a result of the storms.
• A resident who has lost his or her job due to the storms.
• A business that had to close or relocate due to the storms.
• A family that will need to send its children to a different school due to
relocation. These families should let the county know.
Residents should also continue to keep receipts for any cleanup materials and repairs not covered by insurance. Residents who have been turned down for coverage by their insurance company should keep the rejection letter.
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