Disaster Declared After Pennsylvania Summer Storms

Federal officials say a presidential disaster declaration will provide assistance to help Pennsylvania recover from summer storms that caused widespread flooding, damaged homes and businesses and cut power to tens of thousands.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday that President Barack Obama’s declaration would provide funds to supplement state and local recovery efforts after the June 26-July 11 storms. The aid will be provided for damage in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Fayette, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Lawrence, Venango and Wayne counties.

Strong thunderstorms in late June cut power to about 20,000 utility customers and more storms in early July cut power to about 40,000 customers, spawning at least one tornado that destroyed a barn and other farm buildings. State officials estimated that the storms caused millions of dollars in damage.