As forecasts call for heavy rain and flash flooding through Wednesday, the Wolf Administration is acting to ensure all state agencies and related organizations are providing Pennsylvanians with the necessary information and services they need to stay safe during this weather event.
“My overriding goal is to make sure Pennsylvanians are safe and protected,” Governor Wolf said. “Our state agencies and partner organizations are working together across communities and counties to help everyone affected by this severe rain to obtain up-to-date information and services as needed.”
The Commonwealth Response Coordination Center (CRCC) was activated this morning at PEMA with staff in the Situation Awareness, Logistics, and Plans Support sections to plan operations and staffing throughout the rest of the week.
Part of the operations order that initiates the activation requires that staff from the following agencies and organizations are on-site at PEMA Wednesday morning: Pennsylvania State Police; the departments of Military of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection, Human Services, Transportation, and Health; the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, the Fish and Boat Commission, The Public Utility Commission, the Turnpike Commission, and The American Red Cross.
Additional agencies not covered under the activation were asked to continue to monitor the situation and be prepared to staff the CRCC if the need arises.
State agencies continue to monitor the forecast for numerous storms which are forecast to bring significant amounts of rain and flooding to already saturated areas across southcentral, northcentral and eastern Pennsylvania through late tomorrow.
The risk of flash flooding is high as the storms move from south to north throughout Wednesday. Numerous small streams and creeks have flooded, closing roads and forcing some evacuations. There are limited power outages and no major road closures.
Pennsylvanians are encouraged to follow ReadyPA on Twitter @ReadyPA and Facebook for the latest on the weather and how to prepare, and motorists can check road conditions on over 40,000 miles of roadway at 511PA.com.
PennDOT cautions motorists to remember to never drive through flooded roadways, as it takes just two feet of fast-moving water to float a car. Anyone who drives around barriers intended to close a road can face increased penalties if emergency responders are called to rescue motorists who disregard traffic control signs.
