A temporary resource center for victims of Monday’s flooding in Lower Bucks is coming next week to Bristol Township.
Featuring representatives from more than a dozen state, local, county and regional agencies, the resource center will be open from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the cafeteria of Keystone Elementary School, 1800 Keystone Street, Croydon.
County officials discussed the event Friday while leading Gov. Tom Wolf on a tour of flood-damaged residences in Bristol Township and Bensalem.
“We’re going to have state officials, county officials and non-profit people there to offer any assistance that we can,” said Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie.
PHOTO: Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, joined by Gov. Tom Wolf, left, speaks with a Bristol Township woman Friday outside her flood-damaged home on Snowden Avenue.
Wolf, joined by commissioners Harvie and Gene DiGirolamo, as well as Interim Emergency Services Director Audrey Kenny, listened to residents’ stories and answered questions during stops at Snowden Avenue in Bristol Township and Lafayette Gardens in Bensalem.
Residents expressed frustration with the confusing process of accessing aid as they attempt to rebuild in the wake of Monday’s storms.
“The message I got from everyone here is loud and clear: ‘We need help,’” Wolf said. “It doesn’t take too many people, too many testimonies, to understand that this is absolutely true. These folks have been devastated; just look around.”
PHOTO: Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo, second from left, and other officials on Friday listen to residents of Lafayette Gardens, Bensalem, who expressed frustrations about difficulties they have experienced in the wake of flash flooding that damaged the condominium complex earlier in the week.
County officials are working in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to organize and coordinate the resource event.
In addition to municipal and legislative representatives, agencies slated to participate include:
- American Red Cross
- Bucks County Animal Response Team
- Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
- Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency
- Bucks County Emergency Management Agency
- Bucks County Health Department
- Bucks County Intermediate Unit Head Start Program
- Bucks County Office of Military Affairs
- Bucks County Opportunity Council
- City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
- Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
- PA Department of Environmental Protection
- PA Department of Transportation
- PA Office of Attorney General
- PA Emergency Management Agency
- PA Housing Finance Agency
- PA Insurance Commission
- PA Labor and Industry
- Salvation Army
- Southeast Volunteers Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD)
Also on Friday, Bucks County announced efforts to use funds earmarked for COVID-19 relief to help those forced from their homes by Monday’s flash flooding to find housing through Bucks County Housing Link.
“We are trying to read between the lines to make sure that we can use it for things like this,” Harvie said. “We believe that we can use it to help people who have been made homeless.”
Housing Link is able to assist those impacted by the flooding who do not have other housing options. For assistance or more information, call 1-800-810-4434.
PHOTO: Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, left, and Interim Director of Bucks County Emergency Management Agency Audrey Kenny, center, speak with a resident of Lafayette Gardens, Bensalem, during a visit to the flood-damaged condominium complex.
The move comes a day after the commissioners signed a Declaration of Disaster Emergency in response to the floods in Lower Bucks. The declaration allows the county to take swift action to provide relief to people and communities affected by Monday’s storms.
Officials continue to urge residents and business owners to report storm damage to municipal officials using the phone numbers below.
- Bensalem Township – 215-633-3741
- Bristol Borough – 215-788-3828, ext. 12
- Bristol Township – 267-812-2938
Anyone who repairs damage is encouraged to record their efforts with photographs, documents and receipts.
Municipal officials should report damage to Bucks County Emergency Management by emailing [email protected] or calling 215-340-8700.
Media Contacts: James O’Malley, 215-348-6414, [email protected]; Charlotte Reese, 215-348-6430, [email protected]