Monday, October 10, 2011
Area farmers have lost pumpkins due to excessive rain, fungus.
Pumpkin picking, corn mazes and hayrides are to farmers what the 5 a.m. Black Friday holiday shopping deals are to retailers: A much-needed boost to their bottom line. So, it’s no wonder that some area farms are struggling following near-constant rain in September, resulting in the great pumpkin being less so. Instead of row after brightly colored row of pumpkins ready for the picking, farmers are facing lower-than-usual crop yields and ruined pumpkins. The estimated 30 inches of rain in August and September caused “a lot of loss” for Kohler Farms in Horsham, according to owner Pat Kohler. “Moisture is the enemy,” Kohler said. “The plants rot and they’re susceptible to fungus.” The brunt of the impact came during Hurricane Irene and the …
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Previously, local flood victims were only eligible if their damage was sustained during the Hurricane Irene event.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, September 24, 2011
The federal government has granted the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s (PEMA) request to add seven more counties, including Bucks and Montgomery, to the Presidential declaration that was granted for Tropical Storm Lee for Individual Assistance. According to a PEMA release, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Northampton and Philadelphia counties were also added to a list of 19 Pennsylvania counties approved for individual assistance earlier this month. Residents of these counties are approved to apply for individual assistance for damages suffered in storms and flooding from Tropical Storm Lee. Previously, local flood victims were only eligible if their damage was sustained during the Hurricane Irene event. Individual assistance provides …
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Health Department suggests tips on how to clean up after flooding.
- NEWS
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Sunday, September 18, 2011
As floodwaters from recent flooding, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is warning residents of the potential for mold growth in homes and businesses. “Damp conditions from flooding create the perfect breeding grounds for mold to grow, which can happen as soon as two days after flooding occurs,” Secretary of Health Dr. Eli Avila said. "It’s important that you dry out your home or business as quickly as possible to avoid costly repairs and health issues in the future.” Molds are simple microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers they can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems. People who are at higher risk from…
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
He joins bipartisan Hurricane Irene Coalition in a letter to House leaders.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8th) joined colleagues from the Hurricane Irene Coalition in a letter to Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi urging their support for federal disaster funding in response to the storm. At a press conference, Fitzpatrick and members of the coalition outlined the scope of the damage in their districts as a result of recent disasters and expressed concerns from their constituents. “Millions of people across the Northeast have been affected by Hurricane Irene,” said Fitzpatrick. “This natural disaster is not confined to congressional districts or state boundaries. It is a national emergency which requires an appropriate national response.” According to a release, the Hurricane Irene Coalition …
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Governor asked for federal disaster aid for five counties and said others would continue to be assessed and could be added to the request.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Sunday, September 4, 2011
Gov. Tom Corbett Friday asked the federal government to provide disaster aid that will help governments and certain non-profit organizations in five counties recover from Hurricane Irene. But, Bucks and Montgomery counties were not included, at least not yet. According to a release, Corbett said that the magnitude of the damage is beyond the response capabilities of the state and affected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary. “I traveled with the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Glenn Cannon to many of the affected areas, and it was evident early on that the severe damage from Irene affected many of our roads and infrastructure,” said Corbett. The …
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Bucks and Montgomery counties were among the affected areas.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, September 3, 2011
Based on Pennsylvania Drought Task Force recommendations, the Department of Environmental Protection lifted drought watch declarations for 40 counties, including Bucks and Montgomery on Friday. “Recent rainfall, particularly in the last week, has returned stream flows, groundwater levels and soil moisture levels to normal in the eastern and several southern portions of the state,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. That rain, particularly from Hurricane Irene, made August the rainiest month in the area’s history following a very dry May, June and July. According to a release, drought watches and warnings were issued Aug. 5 because of below-normal rainfall that resulted in low stream-flow conditions, decreased groundwater levels and …
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Many Warwick residents did not receive notifications about the police activity and roadblocks during Sunday's search for an armed murder suspect.
It was the morning following the tumultuous, blustering night of Hurricane Irene. Roads had flooded, homes had lost power, and in Warwick Township, Bucks County SWAT teams had deployed to search for an armed, suspected killer. For many residents, that last fact didn't come to light until the manhunt was well underway. When Warwick police officers discovered the truck belonging to Leonard John Egland in the parking lot of Giovanni's Pizza around 4 a.m. Sunday morning, they began searching the immediate area. At that point, Egland was suspected of killing three people in Chesterfield, Va., one person in Buckingham and injuring a Doylestown and a Dublin police officer. As the officers approached a Dumpster behind the Lukoil gas station on …
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick supports Governor Tom Corbett's request for a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick wrote a letter to President Obama asking that he support Governor Tom Corbett's request for a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties experienced widespread flooding and wind damage caused by Hurricane Irene. The damage throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania sparked concern from the governor, who suggested a major disaster declaration be put in affect. “Hurricane Irene is gone, but the damages, clean-up and memory will linger for quite some time," Fitzpatrick said on his website. "[W]e came together as a community and further defined what it means to be a neighbor and friend.” But Fitzpatrick said that "much work remains ahead." "This …
Mold Detection and Remediation Specialists are offering tips on dealing with the flooding effects of Hurricane Irene.
Even though residents tried to prepare for Hurricane Irene before the it hit the area this past weekend, many still experienced flooding in their homes. Now that the storm has passed and some of the water has receded and been cleaned out of homes, the cleaning may not be done yet. According to Mold Detection and Remediation Specialists, Inc., the key to dealing with a flood is to clean it up correctly to prevent future expenses. Mold Detection and Remediation Specialists, Inc., which is based in Bucks County as well as New Jersey, states that the first step in dealing with a flood is to get the affected area dry fast because mold growth can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours if the area is not dried properly. Run fans and dehumidifiers in…
Monday, August 29, 2011
Some residents of Upper Southampton's Rose Valley section suffered heavy damage after flood waters from Irene hit their homes.
The flood waters had receded by Monday afternoon, but mud and debris still covered portions of Charles Street and Holly Drive in the township's Rose Valley section. The flood, which happened at the peak of Hurricane Irene, was many feet high, according to neighbors whose homes were damaged. Anna Malofiy, whose home is on the corner of Marian Avenue and Holly Drive, had water fill her basement and a nearly a foot of her first floor. "It was the worst it has ever been," said Malofiy. So bad, she says, the Southampton Fire Company was forced to come to help some residents escape their homes. "I feel asleep at like 10, and then later I woke to water touching my feet," said Walt Fox, who was rescued by firefighters. Fox, owns the home on Holly …
Tom Sofield
9:02 am on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I drove by yesterday in the morning and again in the evening, and the pumpkins seemed to be going fast! more ›