As recovery efforts continue, state and county representatives urge businesses and homeowners to work with municipal emergency management corridors to assess damages

As the clean up from Ivan continues, Senator John Pippy and Representative Mark Mustio encourage businesses, homeowners, and renters to carefully assess and document the damage caused by the storm and work closely with their municipal emergency coordinator. In the wake of the storm, Sen. Pippy and Rep. Mark Mustio continue to meet with local leaders, speak with residents, and personally review the damage.

"It is simply incredible the volume of water that many areas received. Rep Mustio and I continue to work with federal, state, and county officials to ensure that resources are made available to our municipalities, businesses, and homeowners," remarked Senator Pippy.

Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Assistance (PEMA) offer resources to municipalities, school districts, homeowners, businesses, and renters describing disaster public assistance. Information may be found at PEMA's website – www.pema.state.pa.us; FEMA's website - www.fema.gov; the Allegheny County website – www.county.allegheny.pa.us; or by calling any of the offices listed above.

It is imperative that municipalities, school districts, local residents, and businesses keep accurate records of all damages including photos and all insurance documents. Businesses, homeowners, and renters are able to file a claim with FEMA either through a local disaster recovery center [location TBA] or by calling 1-800-621-3362 to file a tele-claim. Businesses may also contact SBA – Disaster Area 1 office at 1-800-659-2955 with questions concerning the available disaster recovery programs. SBA representatives will be available at the local disaster recovery centers once the sites are established in Allegheny County. Information on the SBA office is attached with this letter. Businesses/homeowners/renters must obtain a disaster identification number from FEMA before funding eligibility can be determined.

Attached with the release is a fact sheet from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection entitled "Tips for safe flood clean up," which offers practical steps to help with the recovery process. Anyone with questions can contact either Senator Pippy or Representative Mark Mustio at 412-262-3780.

Contact - Matt Campion@ 412-571-3822