ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

 HARRISBURG, AUG. 3 – As many as 500 homes and businesses were affected by a severe storm that caused flooding in Haverford and Lower Merion townships earlier this week, according to state Sen. Connie Williams.

 Williams spent much of Monday touring the flood-ravaged areas and is continuing to work with state-level officials to ensure residents and business owners receive the assistance they need. She recommended that anyone who had not reported the flood damage yet to contact their local municipality

 “The severity of this storm caught all of us by surprise,” Williams said. “The damage that I’ve seen in the past two days is tremendous. Cleanup is going to take months.

 “The local emergency services and Red Cross have done a wonderful job to provide assistance and shelter. And just today, the director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency visited the area to announce the state has partially activated its Emergency Operations Center and is ready to coordinate state response and help everyone affected by the flood.”

 The Department of Environmental Protection has already begun to respond to fuel spills in homes and businesses and continues to offer assistance to help residents deal with public health and environmental hazards, such as contamination and water-quality.

 Landfills, trash haulers and transfer stations can contact DEP to request a waiver that will allow them to operate beyond permitted hours and also to accept more than allowable daily limits.

 Residents who are concerned with potential chemical or wastewater spills can call DEP’s complaint hotline at 484-250-5900 for immediate assistance.

 The state Department of Public Welfare has crisis management teams on stand-by and is providing assistance to families who have not received their WIC checks. Anyone who hasn’t received their WIC check should call DEP’s WIC office at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

 Additional assistance is available through the local emergency management agency office located in the Blue pages. People with emergencies should call 911 directly. A wealth of severe weather safety information is available online at www.pema.state.pa.us.

 “This is a difficult time for everyone in the area. I am and will continue to be available to help constituents obtain the assistance they need,” Williams said.