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Lancaster County declares disaster emergency after severe storms
Summary
Lancaster County commissioners ratified a disaster emergency after storms that included a confirmed tornado, authorizing the Department of Public Safety to coordinate recovery, hire temporary workers, rent equipment and enter contracts immediately.
Lancaster County's Board of Commissioners ratified a Declaration of Disaster Emergency on Aug. 25 after a series of storms beginning Aug. 20 that county staff say included at least one confirmed tornado.
The declaration, adopted under Section 7501 of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code (35 PA C.S. ' 7501), directs the Department of Public Safety's Emergency Management Division to coordinate response and recovery work, including the employment of temporary workers, rental of equipment, purchase of supplies and entering necessary contracts without the usual procedural delays. Commissioner Joshua G. Parsons moved to ratify the declaration and Commissioner Alice Yoder seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Brian Pasquale, Lancaster County's executive director of public safety, told the board the county's damage reporting system showed "54 structures that have been affected" and that the National Weather Service was conducting a second assessment. Pasquale said the county would open a multi-agency resource center at the Columbia Borough Fire Department, 726 Manor Street, operating from noon to 8:00 p.m. to connect affected residents with state and local recovery resources.
The board said the clause authorizing immediate contracting and temporary hires is intended to expedite restoration of essential services. Commissioners also publicly thanked first responders and county communications staff for rapid information distribution.
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