Bucks County Commissioners Bob Harvie, Diane Ellis-Marseglia, and Gene DiGirolamo signed a Declaration of Disaster Emergency to address the devastating aftermath of the severe flash flood that struck the region over the weekend.
The declaration was signed Monday and is set to be officially ratified retroactively during the commissioners meeting Wednesday.
The Bucks County Commissioners issued the following joint statement:
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy and express our deepest gratitude to the first responders whose heroic actions on Saturday prevented far greater loss of life. We continue to pray for the two missing children.
“We would like to thank the numerous police, fire, and EMS personnel who responded swiftly and continue to work on the recovery efforts, especially Upper Makefield Township Fire Chief Tim Brewer, who has led coordination efforts. Along with assistance from fire departments from all over Bucks County, water rescue teams from Montgomery County, and PEMA we are truly grateful to have partners that immediately jumped into action.
“As always, we are extremely proud of our County’s 911 staff and Emergency Management personnel, led by Director Audrey Kenny, who quickly activated the EOC and continue to provide support and resources.
“With today’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency, we will ensure that the County will continue to provide any and all resources necessary to continue responding to this unprecedented weather event that has affected so many lives in and out of Bucks County.”
Bucks County officials released the below information for those impacted:
If there is damage to your home, please directly contact your municipality to make a report:
- Lower Makefield Township residents: 267-274-1100
- Upper Makefield Township residents: 215-968-334
- Wrightstown Township residents: 215-598-3313
- All Bucks County municipalities
The American Red Cross has staff at the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company at 105 South Main Street in Yardley Borough. Red Cross staff will be available Monday until 7 p.m.
All three commissioners visited the flood scene in the hours after. They also met with local, state, and federal authorities about the situation.
The flash flood struck Upper Makefield Township on Saturday evening, causing Houghs Creek to overflow and trapping 11 vehicles.
As the flood unfolded, multiple life-saving rescues were carried out by crews from Upper Makefield Township and numerous other fire companies. Five fatalities were reported, and two young children were still missing as of Monday evening.
