NORRISTOWN RECEIVES FLOOD PROTECTION GRANT

HARRISBURG, AUG. 18 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that Norristown was selected to receive a grant to aid in its flood protection program.

The $8,619 grant will be used to repair a sluice gate at the dry dam on the Norristown flood protection project. A sluice gate is used to control the flow of water from the dam, especially during a high water event.

“I don’t think anyone is going to forget the flooding that occurred in Southeastern Pennsylvania in 2004,” Williams said. “The flooding caught many people and businesses by surprise and caused extensive damage. There may be no way to prevent all future flood damage, but through planning and taking other precautionary steps, such as purchasing flood insurance, everyone can lessen the impact of future flooding.”

Williams commended Norristown for operating and maintaining a flood protection project.

“This grant really is a credit to community preparedness,” Williams said.

The grant can be used to reimburse up to 65 percent of the costs for project improvements and non-routine maintenance and up to 50 percent of the costs to purchase specialized equipment used in monitoring, operation and maintenance. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded the grant.