HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell has declared a statewide disaster emergency to enable state, county and municipal governments to respond effectively to the snow storm that blanketed the state this week.
“Weather conditions statewide continue to be hazardous, and PennDOT, the National Guard, State Police and PEMA are still working to remove heavy snow and ice that have blocked roadways,” the Governor said. “They are also continuing to help motorists who have become stuck during the storm.
“We are urging people to avoid Interstate 78 near the Interstate 81 split, and to use extreme caution when traveling. I have instructed all available equipment and manpower to help Pennsylvanians who are still enduring Mother Nature’s wrath.”
The disaster proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel as is deemed necessary to cope with the magnitude and severity of this situation. The time-consuming bid and contract procedures and formalities that are normally required by law are waived for the duration of the proclamation.
“The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is in contact with our county emergency operations centers and will coordinate state efforts,” said Rendell.
In addition to declaring a disaster, the Governor has directed Major General Jessica L. Wright, the state’s adjutant general, and State Police Commissioner Col. Jeffery B. Miller to take the necessary steps to ensure personnel are available. National Guard troops and the State Police have deployed personnel to help with life safety rescue missions in the affected areas.
In addition, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has deployed Pennsylvania National Guard troops to help State Police clear highways. More than 100 National Guard soldiers have been activated for this effort.
To that end, State Police are working to clear highways and other roadways in which accidents have occurred. PennDOT continues to report road closures and clear problem roadways.
“Road conditions across Pennsylvania range from wet to snow covered,” said Rendell. “Many difficult snow removal efforts have been successful, but there is still much work to be done and there still are people who are stuck in their cars, so I urge motorist to avoid these dangerous areas during our ongoing clean-up operations.”
Also, the Pennsylvania Utility Commission remains in contact with various utilities and is monitoring the situation. There are few reports of utility outages but power is expected to be restored by this evening. Shelters are open statewide.
Rendell issued the disaster proclamation based on the recommendation of James R. Joseph, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, due to reports from counties via the state’s emergency operations center in Harrisburg.
Rendell has also directed an enhanced staffing of the emergency operations center to support county emergency services and to coordinate state resources in response to the severe snow storm that has affected most of the commonwealth.
The emergency operations center has been monitoring conditions statewide to assess conditions and coordinate necessary responses. PEMA maintained communications with the state departments of Transportation, Health, State Police, Public Welfare and General Services, as well as the PA National Guard, Turnpike Commission, Public Utility Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission and the American Red Cross.
Individuals who need help should call their local city or county emergency management office, phone numbers for which are in the “Blue Pages” of the phone book. In the event of an emergency, people should call 911 or their local police or fire departments.
Interstate road conditions are updated on PennDOT’s 24-hour road hotline at 1-888-783-6783 and the Turnpike Commission at 1-800-331-3414.
“I would like to thank the county and local emergency managers and all first responders for acting quickly as each incident occurred,” Rendell said.
PEMA officials continue to monitor the situation.
For additional severe weather safety information please visit the PEMA Web site at www.pema.state.pa.us.