Clean-up help remains available for Potter County residents affected by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Debby. Pa. Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has partnered with a volunteer organization, Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (PVOD), to provide assistance. A call center remains in place to streamline recovery efforts and coordinate relief efforts. Volunteers are available to help with removal of debris and trees as well as general clean-up activities. Details are available at 1-844-965-1386. Additional information is available from PEMA here and PVOD here.
Potter County Veterans Services Committee invites military veterans from across the county to join them for an informal “coffee hour” at 10 am on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the former Abundant Blessings/Tea Room on North Main Street, next to the Coudersport Theatre. Mike Pepper, county director of veterans affairs, will be on hand to discuss benefits and services available for vets. It’s part of an outreach effort to increase awareness and assist veterans in the application process.
Earlier this year, the Potter County Commissioners expanded veterans affairs staffing and relocated the department from the Gunzburger Building to the county’s Mapleview property. The new center provides additional space for enhanced privacy, a waiting area and record storage. It also offers expanded convenient parking. An open house will be held at the center from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, Sept. 28. Address is 24 Maple View Lane, Suite 2, Coudersport PA 16915. Contact information remains the same for both phone (814-274-8290, option 8) and fax (814-260-0047). Director Pepper and Veterans Services Officer Rene Kicklighter provide services by appointment on Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. More information can be found on the county website, pottercountypa.net, under Departments/Veterans Affairs.
In response to a bipartisan effort to help those affected by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Debby on Aug. 9-10, President Joe Biden on Wednesday granted a Major Disaster Declaration, triggering the release of federal funds. It was the result of an inventory of damage to personal and public property compiled by township, borough, county and state agencies with volunteer assistance, all kicking off even before the waters had receded. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Coordinating Officer Mark K. O’Hanlon pointed out that the declaration allows for financial assistance to affected individuals and households in Potter, Tioga, Union and Lycoming counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has established a website through which they can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. They also may call the flood relief application hotline 1-800-621-3362.
Meanwhile, Randy Padfield, director of the Pa. Emergency Management Agency, said that PEMA is prepared to move quickly in response to the federal declaration. This could include deployment of a team to process damage claims in affected communities and establishment of disaster recovery centers, some of which could be mobile units traveling across flood-ravaged areas.
Seven members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation from districts affected by the flood signed on to an appeal spearheaded by U.S. Senator Robert Casey asking President Biden to issue the declaration. Congressman Glenn Thompson and Senator John Fetterman also supported the request. Earlier, a state disaster declaration provided an initial $5 million to deploy resources and personnel to the flood zone. The proclamation also waives some state regulations, including certain bidding and contracting procedures. PEMA is instructing residents and business owners to continue to report flood damage to their local township or borough.
Entering Harrison Valley on Rt. 49 after remnants of Hurricane Debby caused flooding.
Just three properties from an initial list of more than 200 were sold for non-payment of taxes during Monday’s Potter County Tax Claim Bureau (TCB) annual “upset sale.” Mohawk Road and Gun Club in Wharton Township was sold for $6,500. A property owned by Robert Mack on Crippen Road in West Branch Township also went for $6,500. Additionally, a camp in Ulysses Township owned by Cynthia Hanes was sold for $15,500. Proceeds from the sales will be divided by the TCB between the school district, township and county.
Typically, many properties offered at the upset sale attract little or no interest due to liens, mortgages, judgments and other title encumbrances. The five that did not sell on Monday will be offered via a judicial sale. If no bids are received, they will be placed in the county repository.