Bucks Co. Residents Can Receive Federal Aid Following Ida Disaster Declaration In PA

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bucks County residents who suffered property damage in the remnants of Hurricane Ida can now receive federal aid in coping with its aftermath, as President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration in Pennsylvania.

Individual assistance funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as public assistance funds for the county, are now available following the announcement Saturday. Bucks is one of 22 Pennsylvania counties eligible for individual assistance after this disaster.

"I’m pleased to report that President Biden approved our request to declare a flood disaster in Bucks and the neighboring Philadelphia counties due to Hurricane Ida," State Rep. Kathleen Tomlinson wrote.

Bucks was estimated to have endured $9.4 million in public infrastructure damages; individual and family damage numbers are as yet unavailable. Four died in Pennsylvania as Ida passed through, including one man who drowned in Bucks County's floodwaters.

"I'm grateful our president has responded swiftly, and the federal government worked with state and local officials to conduct damage assessments and determined that Pennsylvanians are deserving of this critical federal aid," Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement. "Pennsylvanians will now have opportunities to receive financial assistance, which will go a long way toward replacing and restoring their property."

Statewide, Ida brought at least $117 million in damages to public infrastructure. By contrast, the threshold to receive aid is just $19.7 million. But back in July, the damages in Bensalem and Bristol didn't meet that threshold, and federal aid was not made available.

"We are still fighting to help those who suffered from the July 12 flooding and the July 29 tornados," Tomlinson said in a statement online. "That’s why I will be introducing legislation to create a restricted fund that would be open and available to citizens when a natural disaster occurs and the federal government refuses to approve funding."

Gov. Tom Wolf raised similar concerns recently, when he appealed to FEMA to change how they allocate, and assess need for, aid funds.

In the meantime, those eligible for FEMA aid in Bucks County need only provide the following information:

• Your address with zip code.
• Directions to your property.
• Condition of your damaged home.
• Insurance information, if available.
• Social security number.
• Phone number.
• Address where you can receive mail.

Disaster assistance funds can even be sent directly to residents' accounts using direct deposit, according to the agency.

For more information and to register for assistance, residents can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit FEMA online.

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