Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday signed a disaster emergency proclamation to assist state and local authorities in responding to an ice and snow storm that has damaged infrastructure, slowed travel across much of the state and caused widespread power outages.

The assistance is approved for the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York.

On Thursday, President Obama followed the Governor’s action by signing a Pennsylvania emergency declaration.

The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

“At the height of this storm, nearly 849,000 customers were without power in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Corbett said. “This will be a days-long recovery process, and we’re utilizing this disaster declaration to speed up state assistance to all affected parts of the state.”

The proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary, to cope with the magnitude and severity of this emergency situation. The time-consuming bid and contract procedures, as well as other formalities normally prescribed by law, are waived for the duration of the proclamation.

The text of the declaration is available online.  Click Here for information on available disaster assistance.

PEMA & DPW Disaster Stress Hotline

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Department of Public Welfare announced that a disaster distress hotline is available to help citizens cope with stress stemming from severe weather and power outages that are expected to last several days.

The phone number, 1-800-985-5990, is available to all Pennsylvanians to help ease the stress related to the circumstances surrounding the severe weather damage caused by the recent ice and snow storm. Trained professionals will take phone calls to provide emotional support for callers. The TTY number for deaf or hearing impaired individuals is 1-800-846-8517. Help is also available by texting 66746.

Water, Ice Available To Met-Ed, PPL Customers

Met-Ed customers who remain without power following the damaging winter storm that hit the area can receive three gallons of water and one bag of ice per household per day at no charge from participating stores as restoration efforts continue.  Click Here for a list of locations.

Water and ice are available to customers of PPL without power.  Click Here for locations.

PECO Working To Restore Service

Yesterday’s ice and snow storm now ranks as the second most devastating storm in PECO’s history, behind only Hurricane Sandy. Service was interrupted to approximately 650,000 customers during the storm that brought down countless trees and power lines. Hurricane Sandy interrupted service to 850,000 customers.

“We will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore service to customers as soon as we can.”

More than 3,500 PECO employees, contractors and workers from utilities as far away as Arkansas, New Brunswick, Canada, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio and PECO’s Chicago-based sister utility ComEd, will work around-the-clock to repair damage and restore service to customers as part of this monumental effort.

AG Warns Of Storm-Related Scams

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane Thursday cautioned both Pennsylvania consumers and businesses about price gouging and other weather-related scams after a State of Emergency was declared last evening by the Governor.

"Pennsylvania consumers are protected from unwarranted, sudden price increases during emergencies," Attorney General Kane said. "My office will accept complaints from consumers and businesses and violators of these protections will be held accountable."

The price-gouging restrictions prohibit anyone involved in the sale or distribution of consumer goods or services from 'unconscionably excessive' increases above average prices during the week prior to the emergency.

Click Here for complete announcement.

PennDOT Updates Traveler Information Services

Pennsylvania's 511PA traveler information system is now providing motorists with better access to traffic information with a new and improved website, www.511PA.com, as well as improved phone and personal-alert systems.

The redesigned website, which works on both computers and mobile devices, provides free, 24-hour travel information for thousands of miles of state roads including the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Users who opt to get their traveler information on the phone will find an easier-to-use system that provides information more quickly and includes better voice recognition technology. The phone system is accessible by dialing 511 from within Pennsylvania. Users who call 511PA from outside the state should call 1-877-511-PENN (7366).

Game Commission Helps Relief Efforts

The Game Commission is contributing to a coordinated relief effort to restore power to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who are feeling the effects of a winter storm that on Wednesday wreaked havoc on many parts of the state.

Game Commission personnel have been helping to man the State Emergency Operations Center and allocate equipment and manpower to the relief response. The agency also has sent 27 of its Food & Cover Corps employees to Chester County to help remove fallen trees and enable utility workers to reach and repair power lines.

“Many of our own employees and their families continue to be affected by the aftermath of this severe winter storm, and we certainly are proud to do our part in providing relief,” said Matt Hough, Executive Director.

NewsClips:

Corbett Signs Disaster Declaration, 586,000 Without Power

Federal Disaster Declared After 715,000 Lose Power

Over 280,000 Without Power In Southeast

Met-Ed Winter Storm Update

More Than 455,000 In PA Without Power

Help Arrives To Restore Power To Thousands

Crew Of 5,000 Mobilized To Tackle Power Outages

Outages Go Up, Down In Fight To Restore Power

PUC: Power Companies Learned Hard Lessons From Sandy

Residents Struggle As Power Slowly Restored After Storm

Corbett Tours Storm-Ravaged Montgomery County

Attorney General Warns Of Price Gouging, Scams After Storm

PECO: Going To Be Rough Couple Of Days

Electric Utilities Call In Extra Help To Deal With Winter Storm

Price Of Diesel Fuel On Rise In PA

Propane Price Spikes, Fuel Hard To Find

Scientists Tracked Fewer Extreme Storms In 2013

2/10/2014