Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration has launched a new pilot program to help municipalities cover the costs of damages to critical infrastructure in response to severe weather events.
Under the pilot program, the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program - Public Infrastructure (DRAP-PI) will be activated for the Erie area, which was hit by severe storms from September 2-3 that downed hundreds of trees, caused widespread power outages, damaged public and private property, and closed numerous roads and streets. Eligible applicants for this activation include Erie County, City of Erie, Millcreek Township, and the Erie Western PA Port Authority.
PEMA Recovery staff are also working with the City of Philadelphia after severe storms produced strong wind and heavy rains on July 11, and activation is expected in the coming weeks. These storms resulted in flash flooding, downed trees, damaged vehicles, blocked roads, and power outages throughout the city.
My Administration stands ready to deliver the support – and resources – municipalities need to stay safe, recover, and rebuild after disaster strikes. While the federal government continues to reduce its support for Pennsylvania, our state agencies are building out more tools to ensure we are prepared for any emergency. This new initiative will provide critical funding to help areas like Erie and Philadelphia rebuild public infrastructure, including roads, public buildings like schools and community centers, and essential utilities.
— Governor Josh Shapiro
Governor Shapiro has led efforts to boost emergency preparedness in Pennsylvania, doubling the amount of funding available to state agencies to respond to disasters, signing an executive order to strengthen Pennsylvania’s emergency readiness in the face of limiting support from the federal government, creating the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, and leading effective responses to bridge collapses, flooding, train derailments, and more.
“The cities of Erie and Philadelphia have shown tremendous resilience in the wake of these storms, and our role is to provide the support the cities need as they both continue to work through recovery,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “DRAP‑PI is a new tool to help local governments clear debris, restore services, and recoup extraordinary expenses while keeping people safe. We are proud to support the cities as they rebuild the infrastructure residents rely on every day. Recovery takes teamwork, and the Commonwealth is committed to being a steady partner for both communities as they move forward.”
About DRAP-PI
Established in 2023, DRAP has helped to support individuals and families with no other place to begin recouping losses and recovery from disaster. In 2025, Governor Shapiro signed into law an expansion of the program to assist eligible municipal governments with recovery from disasters. DRAP‑PI supplements local governments with up to $5 million in grants to restore infrastructure to pre‑disaster condition, remove debris, and execute emergency protective measures not covered by insurance or other programs.
The DRAP-PI grants, administered by PEMA, will assist communities in recouping extraordinary eligible costs associated with responding to disasters and other emergencies to protect the public, restore essential services and repair essential damaged public infrastructure. Examples include costs associated with clearing debris to open roadways for emergency services access and restoration of essential services, repairs to damaged public property, and repairs to damaged water and wastewater systems.
How the Program Will Work
To be eligible for DRAP‑PI funding, a municipality must verify disaster impacts and confirm compliance with state program rules. First, the municipality must submit Windshield Survey Reports (WSRs) within four days of the disaster period ending, followed by Initial Damage Assessments (IDAs) within 21 days.
Municipal officials must also declare a disaster emergency within five days, be in a county that meets activation thresholds, maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program, and adopt the current FEMA‑approved county Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Finally, the municipality must attend a PEMA Applicant Briefing, certify that all damages were caused by the eligible disaster, exceed a per capita threshold, and demonstrate legal responsibility for the affected infrastructure. Eligible work categories for reimbursement vary based on the incident, but could include:
- Category A – Debris Removal: removal, disposal, and clearance necessary to eliminate threats to life, property, or economic recovery;
- Category B – Emergency Protective Measures: immediate and short-term disaster actions such as increased overtime costs associated with public safety and public works operations, activating and staffing Emergency Operations Centers, and other expenses such as establishing and staffing shelters for the public;
- Category D – Water Control Facilities: stormwater systems, pump stations, and drainage channels; and
- Category F – Public Utilities: water, wastewater, gas, communications and infrastructure.
As DRAP-PI is a reimbursement program, payments are made to eligible municipalities quarterly after progress reports are submitted to PEMA and then reviewed and approved. Funding eligibility is also dependent upon the State Disaster Assistance Fund availability.
Support for Erie and Philadelphia’s Recovery
Since the storms hit, PEMA has been actively involved in supporting both cities, as well as surrounding municipalities and counties affected by flooding and severe storms in The Commonwealth supported Multi-Agency Resource Centers in both Philadelphia and Erie to provide impacted residents and business owners connection to state and local resources to meet immediate recovery needs.
Governor Shapiro requested and received physical disaster declarations for both cities from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide low interest loans to residents and businesses impacted by severe storms. Additionally, Governor Shapiro activated the DRAP for individual assistance (DRAP-IA) to provide access to grants up to $20,000 to cover uninsured losses for eligible renters and homeowners with no other support available through insurance, local, state, or federal programs. The Commonwealth staffed Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) to provide in person assistance for those with questions about the SBA loans or DRAP-IA grant program.