Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield joined state and local leaders to discuss recovery efforts 18-months after devastating flooding impacted residents of Berks County in July 2023. Pictured here is PEMA Director Randy Padfield delivering remarks during the event.

Supporting Pennsylvanians After Disaster Strikes

Shapiro Administration Has Distributed Nearly $270,000 to Help Pennsylvanians Rebuild through the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program

The Shapiro Administration today highlighted the recovery efforts in Berks County made possible through the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP). The grant program was activated 18 months ago for the first time since the law went into effect as Governor Shapiro vowed to provide aid to Berks County following devastating flooding resulting from heavy rainfall on July 9, 2023.

“Immediately following the Berks County flooding, Governor Shapiro promised residents that his Administration would work with state and local officials and volunteer organizations to help them recover from these storms.” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “We delivered on that promise using a whole community approach with our VOAD partners and activated the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Program, distributing nearly $125,000 in state recovery dollars directly to impacted residents of Berks County who needed this critical financial support.”

Speaker list:
Randy Padfield, Director, PEMA
Senator Judy Schwank
Brian Gottschall, Director, Berks County Department of Emergency Services
Julia Frank, President, Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (PAVOAD)

Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern Pennsylvania (LDR–EPa), a ministry of Lutheran Congregational Services, works in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s (ELCA) Lutheran Disaster Response program to oversee disaster preparedness and response in 24 counties of eastern Pennsylvania.

LDR–EPa works with congregations, local and federal agencies, and community organizations to help prepare for and respond to traditional and non-traditional disasters such as large apartment fires, severe storms, or terror attacks.

LDR-EPa’s depth of experience in long-term recovery and wide network of disaster partners enables us to efficiently connect survivors with the appropriate resources, recruit volunteers to assist with recovery, and provide congregations with the training and resources needed to best serve impacted communities.

Lutheran Disaster Response - Eastern PA In Action

Hungry for Life, Together in Christ

The Role of Clean Up Buckets After a Flood

Building Equity for Natural Disaster Victims

Volunteers Help Disaster Survivors on MLK Day

Long-Term Recovery in Eastwick, Philadelphia

How LDR-EPa Supports Summer Storm Victims

Credits

Executive Producer: Julia Frank

Eastwick Video Credits

Producers: Mark Staples & John Kahler

Executive Producer: Julia Frank

Produced by Prospect Productions in partnership with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (SEPA) of the ELCA

CURRENT RESPONSES

  • Berks, Northampton, and Scranton Area Flooding 2023: Long term recovery begins just after the impact of a disaster and volunteers have been serving at resource centers and call survivors to notify them of opportunities to get help. This recovery is not federally funded and LDR-EPa is committed to disaster recovery to those who face the greatest barriers to recovery.
  • Hurricane Ida. Pennsylvania received a federal declaration for Individual Disaster Assistance for natural disaster survivors for the first time since 2011 when Hurriance Ida hit in 2021. LDR-EPa is leading the coordination efforts for addressing unmet needs. We continue to recruit volunteers for rebuilding and provide disaster case management to disaster survivors in Delaware and Philadelphia counties.
  • Help us get to the finish line in Eastwick! Rebuilding continues following Tropical Storm Isaias in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. Volunteers and Contractors are needed! Volunteers have contributed 5,000 hours to date. Contractors have installed 26 air handlers and 6 hot water heaters as well as repaired electric and plumbing in several homes.
  • The Official Newsletter of Lutheran Disaster Response - Winter 2024 Issue

  • Lutheran Disaster Response - Training and Engagement Catalog - Winter & Spring 2024

  • Preparedness Plans

  • How to Assemble Clean Up Kits (aka Flood Buckets)

  • Volunteer Opportunities with Lutheran Disaster Response

  • Tips for a Power Outage

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

Lutheran Congregational Services’ Lutheran Disaster Response ministry is currently responding to recent disasters in Philadelphia and Bucks Counties.

To donate, mail checks to Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA in either Allentown or Ambler, or donate online.

Mail checks to:

Lutheran Congregational Services

2354 Grove Road, Allentown, PA 18109

Or

Lutheran Congregational Services

7002 Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002

DONATE ONLINE

For more information on preparedness, how you can volunteer your time, and ways to engage, please see below.