Parts of Pa. battered by remnants of Debby, Shapiro declares state of emergency

While parts of Pennsylvania recover from heavy rainfall, severe winds and harsh thunderstorms caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, Gov. Josh Shapiro declared a state of emergency in 21 counties Friday evening.

Adams, Cumberland and Dauphin counties were included in the governor’s proclamation, which also listed Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Chester, Fulton, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

“To expedite resources and cut through the red tape, I issued a disaster declaration in response to the severe storms and flooding all across Pennsylvania, allowing the commonwealth to move quickly to fulfill county requests for assistance,” Shapiro said.

The emergency was declared to allow state agencies to quickly draw funding to assist counties and municipalities as they begin recovery efforts.

Pennsylvania experienced one of the worst days of flooding in the last two or three years on Friday, the National Weather Service told PennLive.

A tornado watch was issued for most of the day for an area that included Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.

The National Weather Service in State College is also working with Dauphin County officials to determine if a tornado affected the area. A meteorologist with the NWS told PennLive a survey will likely take place Saturday.

Tropical Depression Debby reached Pennsylvania around 2 a.m. Friday, bringing a round of thunderstorms that drenched a large portion of the state overnight into Friday afternoon. Lingering showers remained in some areas until Friday evening.

Rainfall totals throughout central Pennsylvania were between 3 and 6 inches, with some regions experiencing heavier, localized rain, National Weather Service officials said.

Central Pennsylvania saw many instances of flooding, including the Conewago Creek, where nearly 20 adults and children along with eight dogs had to be rescued by boats Friday afternoon. Officials in York County said the creek, which is usually about three feet deep, was at 16 feet around 4 p.m. Friday.

Other areas in the area had trees uprooted, roads and buildings damaged and thousands had their power knocked out. One road closure in Reed Township, Dauphin County is expected to last 30 days, PennDOT said.

Tioga and Potter counties saw some of the worst conditions from the storm and had active watches for severe weather in place until Friday night, National Weather Service officials said.

Hundreds of people in Tioga County called for air rescues due to dangerous flooding conditions, according to multiple news reports. Water rescues were taking place into Friday afternoon with between 80 and 90 people trapped in their homes.

Emergency crews in Tioga County were also trapped while rescuing others from flooded conditions, leading to additional helicopters and boats to assist with the efforts, CNN said. “Life-threatening flooding” conditions were listed near the Pennsylvania-New York border throughout Friday afternoon as well, according to the story.

Shapiro’s proclamation will last 21 days unless it is extended by the General Assembly.

“My administration is in regular contact with federal and local leaders and is working hand in hand with our emergency management partners to understand where help is needed and to get appropriate resources there as quickly as possible,” said Shapiro. “My administration is going to continue to monitor this storm system and will provide regular updates through PEMA as we transition from response to recovery.”

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