Governor Wolf declares disaster after recent flooding, will seek federal aid

After touring several parts of the state in the wake of severe flooding this week, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed a proclamation of disaster and announced his intentions to seek federal aid.

The news comes just one day after Governor Wolf toured parts of Delaware County that were impacted by flooding on Monday.

Upper Darby and Montgomery County police reported numerous rescues of people trapped in cars by flash flooding caused by heavy rains.

This week Governor Wolf had personally toured communities hit hard by the storms in Schuylkill, Bradford and Delaware counties. Signing the proclamation of disaster allows the state to ask for a federal disaster declaration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency

"Pennsylvanians in portions of the state hardest hit by heavy rains and subsequent flooding need to know that the state is doing all that it can to help and for that reason, I am signing this disaster declaration," Gov. Wolf said. "This allows the state to seek federal funding for damages and frees up the red tape that can be associated with procuring necessary supplies and services during emergency clean-up."

"Touring these flooded areas and speaking with those affected only confirmed my decision that we need this declaration to enlist all possible help," the governor added.