Obama Declares Disaster from April Storms in Pennsylvania

President Obama has issued a disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding that struck northeastern Pennsylvania last spring, clearing the way for federal aid.

The president said damage from the April 25-28 storms in the counties of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, and Wyoming counties constituted a major disaster.

Officials said federal funding would be available for the commonwealth and local governments and some nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of damaged facilities. Cost-sharing funding will also be available to mitigate hazards for all counties in the commonwealth.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., also urged the declaration. Toomey cited a May estimate of more than $19 million damage to roadways, bridges, water and sewer systems, buildings and crops.