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Middle Smithfield supervisors ratify July 4 disaster declaration and seek extension as cleanup continues
Summary
Supervisors ratified a July 4, 2026 disaster declaration, authorized preparing a resolution to extend it to the July 23 meeting, and discussed storm recovery that left thousands without power and prompted activation of a community comfort station.
The Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors on July 9 ratified the township’s July 4, 2026 declaration of disaster emergency and directed the solicitor to prepare a resolution to extend the declaration through the board’s July 23 meeting.
Chair (S3) said the declaration “gives the municipality legal authority and flexibility to do things quickly” and positions the township to document damage and pursue potential disaster aid and reimbursement. The board approved the ratification and the direction to prepare an extension by voice votes.
Why this matters: Supervisors said the declaration helps the township move faster on emergency repairs and creates documentation necessary for grants or federal/state reimbursement if thresholds are met.
During the meeting supervisors thanked emergency responders and staff for response efforts. Chair reported that 11 counties and 67 municipalities were affected by the storm, that about 15,250 people were without power the evening of the event, and that Middle Smithfield accounted for 27% of those outages. He also said 4,166 residences and businesses were without power. The township activated a comfort station at the community and cultural center and coordinated with the Red Cross to prioritize sheltering residents whose homes were destroyed.
Supervisors described rapid local actions: public works crews cleared roads and made routes passable for emergency vehicles within hours, and staff staffed the comfort station while continuing regular duties. Officials said outreach efforts included door-to-door checks by county emergency management personnel and volunteers.
Public comment at the meeting included thanks to staff, business owners and volunteers for recovery work, and a Zoom comment urging the township to raise clearance between trees and power lines to reduce outages in future storms. Chair said the township will relay that concern to the utility.
Next steps: The solicitor will draft a resolution to extend the declaration to the July 23 meeting; the board will consider that resolution at its next regular session.
