SHAMOKIN - As cleanup from this week's flooding continues, a word of advice from the city clerk: Document everything.
"The real key to all of this is no matter how this proceeds, anyone who has been impacted must do a good documentation on how they were impacted by the flood," said Steve Bartos, Shamokin city clerk.
Bartos advises anyone who has experienced flood damage to keep detailed records of expenses related to cleanup efforts, such as keeping receipts.
He also said photographs are useful when seeking financial assistance and advised that photos be taken of the flood damage, of the cleanup efforts and of the final results.
Applications for financial assistance were received Friday from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by Shamokin officials and are available to city residents.
President Barack Obama declared Pennsylvania to be in a state of emergency. Those without flood insurance may be eligible to apply for money thru FEMA.
This is the second FEMA disaster declaration of emergency for Pennsylvania in a matter of weeks. The first was announced earlier this month after Hurricane Irene passed through the area.
The declaration by FEMA allows the agency to provide equipment and resources to alleviate the impact of the flood emergency at 75 percent federal funding.
The FEMA website is www.fema.gov and the helpline number is 800-621-FEMA (3362).
Assistance is also available through U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, who named Jacque Bell of his Williamsport office (322-3961) and Cathy Romaniello of his Tunkhannock office (836-8020) in charge of requests by individuals and businesses, and Dave Weber, Tunkhannock, in charge of municipal- and infrastructure-related requests.
City seeks FEMA help
The city itself, Bartos said, would be seeking FEMA assistance. That effort will be aided by the declaration of Northumberland County as a disaster area as well as the city's implementation of a state of emergency.
Coal Township, too, had declared a state of emergency, as had Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township, Kulpmont and Sunbury.
FEMA officials are expected in the county soon and will team with state and county emergency management officials along with local officials to assess flood and storm damages.
Bartos advised those affected by the flood to begin seeking out cleaning supplies and equipment, even Dumpsters if necessary, as those items may soon be in short supply.
Coal Township has already placed Dumpsters in its hardest hit sections - Ranshaw and Tharptown - and will do so again today for people to dispose of flood-damaged possessions. Shamokin will do the same beginning at 7:15 a.m. today. Dumpsters will be placed at Chestnut and Rock streets and Spruce and Rock streets.
An appliance collection for recyclable materials will be held as part of the cleanup efforts from 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Rock Street skate park. The Hands Up Foundation will host the event in coordination with the city at no cost. Proof of residency is required.
Donations needed
Melissa Farrow of Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc. said donations of cleaning supplies, garbage bags, paper towels, mops and buckets, laundry detergent and baby diapers and wipes were being collected at the second floor of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Shamokin, inside the entrance near Grant Street at the top of the parking lot.