The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rejected Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s request for a major disaster declaration for Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming Counties due to damage from severe storms and flooding on Sept. 9 and 10 last year, according to Luzerne County officials.
Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo informed county council about the decision on Tuesday. She mentioned that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is assessing potential extra recovery resources and will update us accordingly.
The FEMA rejection letter, which she provided, was in response to Shapiro’s plea to the federal agency to provide public assistance for the three counties.
“After a thorough evaluation of all the information in your initial request and appeal, we confirm our original findings that the impact from this event is not severe enough to warrant a major disaster declaration,” the letter stated.
A declaration would have allowed additional federal funding assistance, including emergency grants to help affected communities in the three counties rebuild damaged or destroyed infrastructure, officials have stated.
