$359K In Hurricane Ida Relief Awarded To Horsham Residents

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —The relief continues for residents and businesses that suffered damage from a tornado that hit the township nearly two years ago.

At its recent council meeting, Township Manager Bill Walker updated the council regarding the third round of distributing funds for its Hurricane Ida relief effort.

Walker said 13 properties recently received $31,090, raising the total amount of money awarded to $359,362. Those funds have been distributed to 126 property owners.

Walker said the township will continue to accept and review applications until the end of the year or when the funds run out, whichever comes first.

Residents, businesses, commercial property owners, and tenants of storm-impacted property from the tornado that swept through parts of the township in September 2021 were invited to apply for Hurricane Ida Relief Fund consideration.

Walker said that the average payout to residents is $3,000, but some are getting the maximum amount of $3,500.

HIRF was created to ease the financial strain experienced by property owners and residents impacted by the tornado and flooding of Hurricane Ida. The funding helps residents with coverage they did not receive from their insurance companies.

It is financed by a $1.5 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.

Walker has stated at council meetings that those who apply are more than 90 percent guaranteed to receive some sort of relief.

In September 2021, a tornado caused "extensive damage" in a section of the township as an EF-2 tornado touched down in Montgomery County, traveling from Fort Washington and Upper Dublin Township up to Horsham Township.

The damaged area in Horsham included neighborhoods near Carl Kohler Park and Samuel Carpenter Park, neighborhoods west of Limekin Pike between Norristown Road and Prospectville, and neighborhoods southeast of County Line Road between Keith Valley Road and Park Road.

In other township business:

The council opted to remain neutral on a request by the owners of a property at 604 Wade Ave. to build a swimming pool.

The property is allowed 20 percent impervious surface, and it is now at 24.8 percent. With the pool, it would increase to 27.8 percent impervious surface.

The property owners said they would install a stormwater feature to mitigate the increase in impervious surface.

The council’s neutral stance was conditional. The stormwater feature must meet with the township’s approval and the impervious surface must not increase from its current percentage.