Harrisburg, PA – Today the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s ongoing efforts to support recovery from the remnants of Hurricane Debby in August 2024. The storm caused significant damage across northern and central Pennsylvania, leaving roads, bridges, homes, and businesses damaged or destroyed.
The recovery from significant storms like Debby is a process that can take years, even after roads are repaired and it looks like things are back to normal. Some people who lost homes and belongings are still struggling and it’s important they still get the support they need.
— PEMA Director Randy Padfield
Governor Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation of disaster emergency to enable state agencies to respond more quickly to the storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted the Governor’s request for Public Assistance in Cambria, Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Indiana, Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming counties and Individual Assistance in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties. So far, over $38.4 million in aid has been delivered through the federal government at the Governor’s request:
- Under FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, more than $7.7 million in federal grants have been awarded to homeowners and renters in the four counties that were eligible. These funds can be used for a wide range of disaster-related expenses such as temporary rental housing, replacing personal property, medical expenses or transportation.
- Under Public Assistance, more than $28.6 million has been paid to state, county and local governments as well as eligible private non-profits to pay expenses such as overtime, administrative costs, equipment rentals or repairs to or replacement of public infrastructure. That total will increase as projects are completed and costs are reimbursed under the federal program.
- Under the U.S. Small Business Administration Loan Program, more than $2.1 million in low-interest loans has been delivered to homeowners, renters, and business owners.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) and local partner organizations have provided Disaster Case Management (DCM) to more than 415 unique households who did not qualify for assistance from FEMA, with services still being provided to clients in need. DCM professionals help connect households with local charitable and volunteer organizations, including federal, state, and local government programs, community-based disaster recovery aid, private insurance, and more.
“Government has an important role, but local level organizations and volunteer groups are a vital piece of the recovery effort. Disaster case management is a bridge between public and private helpers, serving as a navigator for people affected and helping coordinate assistance in the immediate aftermath and well beyond,” PA DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said. “Their work continues, even after all this time, and PA DHS is here to be a source of support and assistance for our neighbors affected by Debby.”
Many of the organizations that make up Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) were on the ground in northcentral Pennsylvania in the immediate aftermath, and in the weeks and months that followed.
“Recovery is a collective, all-hands-on-deck effort,” said Kristin Hamilton, executive director of Develop Tioga. “When the entire community unites, businesses and residents recover faster, and we strengthen our ability to withstand future disasters.”
"During tropical storm Debby, our community showed its true strength-neighbors helping neighbors, responders working around the clock, and partners stepping up at every level,” said Commissioner Shane Nickerson, Chairman of Tioga County Commissioners. "We are deeply grateful to Pennsylvania emergency management agency and our state and Federal partners for their support and coordination. Together, we met the moment and continue to move forward stronger."
Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel, who as a teenager joined the wave of volunteers aiding victims of Hurricane Agnes’ devastating floods in 1972, said the response to Tropical Storm Debby once again revealed the best in people.
“On the ground, emergency responders, church groups, neighbors, and other volunteers sprang into action, while county, state, and federal agencies coordinated their responses,” Commissioner Heimel said. “Every public emergency offers an opportunity to learn, and this one was no exception.”
With that in mind, Potter County has convened a Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Work Group to evaluate the response to Tropical Storm Debby and identify areas for improvement.
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has prioritized rapid deployment of state emergency response resources and infrastructure stabilization in disasters and emergencies. Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal includes a $5 million allocation for the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP). Since DRAP was established in 2023, the program has provided more than $450,000 in assistance direct to Pennsylvanians after a variety of disasters, including Somerset County flooding, the Apartment building fires in Philadelphia, and the Apartment building fires in Pittsburgh.
PEMA also has been authorized to establish a new Commonwealth Public Assistance Program to assist communities recovering from disasters. As the infrastructure damage thresholds to request federal assistance rise, Pennsylvania will stand ready to help eligible municipalities make needed repairs to damaged critical public infrastructure not paid for by insurance or other funding sources.
Learn more about the Govenors budget and efforts to support Pennsylvanians.