Palmer Township residents who suffered damage to their homes and properties in the wake of Hurricane Irene can now apply for individual federal assistance. The Northampton County Division of Emergency Management Services has alerted the township about the following provisions for possible disaster recovery assistance for Northampton County residents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For information on Disaster Assistance, please call: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Residents can also apply for assistance on FEMA's website at: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ while mobile users …
Relief is coming. Residents of Forks Township who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene can now apply for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "We just received notification," said Forks Township Manager Richard Schaedter said. Throughout Hurricane Irene's wrath, Forks residents and businesses suffered through sinkholes and flooding. FEMA is now offering individual assistance to residents. He said applications may be available shortly at the township municipal building. "I think it's terrific," Schaedter said. "This should expedite the matter. It cuts out the …
Forks Township is asking residents along the Delaware River to evacuate by 4pm today (Aug. 28) because of rising waters. David Billings, chairman of the township Board of Supervisors, said emergency management information shows the Delaware will reach flood stage by 4pm today and crest its banks tomorrow. To protect people from the flooding, the township requests all residents evacuate. Billings said the Salvation Army in Easton (1110 Northampton St., 610-258-9531) and First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem (2344 Center St., 610-867-5865) have set up shelters.
Some Forks Township residents living along the Delaware River are being urged to evacuate as the river gets ready to crest Monday afternoon. Township supervisors requested the evacuation Sunday afternoon as the river reached dangerous levels while other parts of the township flooded along the Bushkill Creek. "We were hit pretty hard," Township Supervisors Chairman David Billings said. "We were well-prepared. The rain has been less than expected. But we survived pretty well." What has township officials worried is the Delaware River, which is expected to crest at 31 feet at 2pm Monday. To …
With Hurricane Irene almost certain to batter Forks and Palmer townships this weekend, the need for up-to-the minute info is even more important. At Patch, we will be working around-the-clock to cover the storm, but as with of our reporting, the more interaction we get from users the more comprehensive our coverage will be. Palmer Patch is as much your site as it is ours. So in wake of Irene, here’s how you can use Patch to help paint the local picture of the event. 1. Get the news. When we know about storm-related news, so will you. From important town and village announcements, damages…
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency today urged Pennsylvanians to prepare for expected high winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Irene this weekend. Although the storm is expected to primarily impact southeastern Pennsylvania, residents across the state should remain alert and be prepared. “The approaching hurricane means all residents should be sure emergency supplies are ready in our homes, and to secure outdoor items so they don’t cause more damage when the winds come,” said PEMA Director Glenn Cannon. “As this week’s historic East Coast earthquake reminded everyone, being …
In anticipation of this weekend’s predicted heavy rain, PennDOT Engineering District 5 has maintenance crews throughout the region today clearing drainage inlets, removing debris from roadways and ensuring all equipment (chainsaws, backhoes, message boards, etc.) are in good working order. PennDOT warns motorists to do their part and take precautions for driving during inclement weather, and not to attempt driving through high water. This weekend’s rainfall may cause water to back up on area roadways. Motorists are warned not to drive across roads covered with water because the water may …
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of damage from Hurricane Irene. Corbett's office said the declaration issued Friday allows state, county and municipal governments to respond effectively to the hurricane, which is expected to reach southeastern Pennsylvania by Saturday. The governor urges all Pennsylvanians to take action now to be prepared. He says the latest weather forecast calls for as much as 10 inches of rain and strong winds gusting to 60 mph or more. The state Emergency Operations Center is monitoring conditions statewide and plans to …
Met-Ed outage info: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help.html PPL outage center: http://www.pplelectric.com/Outage+Center/ National Weather Service: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/ National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Lehigh County EMA: http://ema.lehighcounty.org/ Northampton County EMA: http://www.nc911.org/ Lehigh Valley Red Cross: http://www.redcrosslv.org/index.php
Forecasters say tropical storm conditions Saturday night and Sunday could bring wind gusts of 60 mph. So how strong could that wind actually be? The Beaufort Scale is used to measure wind speed. The scale uses a 1 through 12 rating for wind, ranging from “Calm” to “Hurricane” force. Here are some of the ratings: Near Gale (32-38 mph) - Whole trees in motion, inconvenience in walking. Gale (39-46 mph) - Difficult to walk against wind. Twigs and small branches blown off trees. Strong Gale (47-54 mph) - Minor structural damage may occur (shingles blown off roofs). Storm (55-63 mph) - Trees …
Hurricane Irene is expected to bring heavy rain and winds gusting up to 60 mph to Forks and Palmer townships Saturday night into Sunday. More rain dousing our already saturated ground could cause downed trees and power outages. The Red Cross and utility companies advise residents to have a storm kit handy. Your kit should include: • Bottled water (one gallon per person per day). • Non-perishable food and can opener. • Blankets, bedding and toiletries. • Baby formula, diapers, bottles and wet wipes, if needed. • First-aid kit and enough prescription medicines. • Flashlight with fresh …
In advance of the storm, Northampton County Emergency Services is ramping up plans to activate its Emergency Operations Center – which is kind of Disaster Central for coordinating the response to potential emergencies. Angel Gillette, the county’s hazard mitigation and disaster recovery manager, said staff were going through the agency checklist, making sure emergency generators for key sites such as transmitters and hospitals are ready in case of a power outage. The agency planned a conference call today with area hospitals to discuss preparation and have been in touch with the American …
They say they're ready. Officials in Forks and Palmer townships are prepared to deal with Hurricane Irene just like they are for any expected storm, be it summer or winter. As all eyes watch the path of Hurricane Irene and the potential wrath it might deliver to the Lehigh Valley, authorities believe they are prepared to weather this storm. "We are going to make the township as safe as we can," said Demar Grube, Palmer Township's fire commissioner and emergency management director. Grube said manpower in the 30-member volunteer department will be on hand to assist with road closures, check …
Hurricane Irene is expected to head northward by Friday, bringing winds and rain to us by Sunday. Hurricane Irene was off the coast of Florida this morning, but it is expected to move inland and continue north by Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Right now, Irene is a Category Three hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 115 mph. Though the storm will dissipate as it moves, the NWS expects gusty winds and heavy rain in our area Saturday and Sunday. Rain and thunderstorms are expected today as well, but that is not part of the hurricane.
