Housing Reconstruction, Flood Resilience: Montco Gets $9 Million Ida Recovery

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County has received more than $9 million in federal disaster relief to help rebuild housing and infrastructure devastated by Hurricane Ida, a major storm exacerbated by climate change, officials announced this week.

The funding comes more than three years after the storm that battered the area, with high winds destroying homes and community centers, and historic floods ripping through local watersheds and floodplains.

"Climate change is real, so we can anticipate an increased frequency in damaging storms like Ida,” Montgomery County Commissioner Neil K. Makhija said in a statement. "This funding not only helps residents and communities continue to pick up the pieces, but it also allows us to implement protective measures."

About $7.2 million of the funds will be put into housing rehabilitation efforts around the county. Another $1.8 million will be used for infrastructure and community projects, authorities said.

The federal aid is administered at the state level, and was awarded to Montgomery County as a Community Development Block Grant.

Specifically, $3.6 million will be used for repair needs for homeowners not covered by insurance. Another $3.6 million will assist with buying property from homeowners in "high risk" flood areas, where is either not safe or sustainable to embark on a rebuild.

The following municipalities will receive targeted funding for projects:

• Cheltenham Township will receive $299,840 for a new stormwater network and sewer drainage work on Chelsea Road, Oak Lane, and Cheltenham Avenue

• Upper Providence Township will receive $59,610 for new flood barrier gates that will prevent vehicles from entering at-risk roadways and parks
• Bridgeport will receive $817,563 to build a new public park at the intersection of Front Street and Depot Street, revitalizing land damaged by the storm

• Green Lane will receive $715,000 to improve its sewage treatment plant and flood drainage systems on Macoby Creek, both of which were heavily damaged in the storm