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Plymouth Township meeting assembles officials and experts to hear concerns.
John Levenduski of North Street, Plymouth, asked Wednesday about access roads to blocked off areas.
Fred adams/for the times leader
PLYMOUTH TWP.– Affected residents jammed the meeting room at the township building on Wednesday night expressing concerns and looking for answers in the wake of Sunday’s flash flooding in the township and neighboring Plymouth Borough.
During public comment, the lack of insurance to cover damage came up repeatedly. Most homes did not have flood insurance since they were out of the “flood plain” and on a hill.
Residents told stories of having no access to their homes, totaled basements, flipped oil tanks, missing front yards and destroyed homes.
Elected officials and experts that the township assembled to answer questions included state Rep. Gerald Mullery, Mark Grohuski of state Sen. John Yudichak’s office, Gino Bartoli of the A.J. Lupas Insurance Agency, which is the township’s insurance firm, and Nate Tompkins, the township engineer.
Also present were representatives from the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.
Board of Supervisors Chairperson Gale Conrad said the township has only three public works employees and limited finances to deal with a disaster that destroyed large portions of public infrastructure, including the Coal Street Bridge.
She said it was important for residents to complete damage reports for the county Emergency Management Agency because any potential disaster assistance hinges on reaching certain thresholds of damage.
Township officials announced these actions that are under way or planned:
• The fire department has developed contingency plans for response to damaged areas.
• The public works department will continue to work to clean up.
• Assessments by the township engineer and the county Emergency Management Agency will continue
• The offices of Yudichak, Mullery, and U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta will continue to assist the residents and the township
• The Red Cross will continue to offer services at the fire hall.
• The Salvation Army will be providing dinners at its canteen by the fire hall at least through Friday.
• The South Baptist Relief is planning to have volunteer cleanup crews by the weekend.
An announcement will be made of when pickup of flood debris will begin.