PEMA is opening resource centers after microburst storms result in more than 1,000 damage reports
Each resource center will have representatives from an array of city and state agencies.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is opening three resource centers this weekend in Philadelphia to aid the hundreds of people who experienced damage from last weekend’s major storms.
Each center will have representatives from state and city agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Peco, and local community organizations.
Visitors can receive resources and assistance with their insurance coverage, avoiding scams, benefits and disability support, and other information related to the storm’s damage and aftermath.
Four “microburst” storms downed hundreds of trees in Philadelphia and Montgomery County Saturday in just a few minutes. The brief storms brought wind gusts between 60 to 70 miles per hour, and toppled trees which had likely been weakened after weeks of heavy snow cover this winter.
The three resource centers will be held at the following dates and locations:
Saturday, July 18: Noon to 8 p.m. at Lucien Blackwell Community Center, 761 N. 47th St.
Sunday, July 19: Noon to 8 p.m. at Vare Recreation Center, 2600 Morris St.
Monday, July 20: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Wynnefield Library, 5325 Overbrook Ave.
The city’s Office of Emergency Management has received more than 1,000 reports of storm damage from residents as of Thursday, according to a PEMA spokesperson. The agency encourages residents who experienced damage to their homes, businesses or other property to fill out the city’s online damage survey so officials can properly document damages and allocate resources appropriately.
