In a news release, the administration said that Pennsylvania has identified more than $55.4 million in expenses related to cleanup from the storm Jan. 22-23. The state Emergency Management Agency has been compiling costs reported by communities throughout the state to make the initial request for federal disaster relief.
The storm, which was concentrated more in central and eastern Pennsylvania, dumped more than three feet of snow in some areas. Weather-related traffic accidents tied up west-bound traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and stranded some motorists for more than 24 hours between Bedford and Somerset.
“Our numbers so far show that municipal, county and state agencies spent more than $55 million to respond to this storm,” Mr. Wolf said. "In many places, it wiped out an entire year’s budget for snow response and removal, and winter isn’t over yet.”
The format for applying for federal relief is done on a county-by-county basis. To be eligible, a county must have a record or near-record snowfall; the costs for storm relief in a 48-hour period must exceed $3.56 per capita; and the total cost must exceed $17.9 million.
Costs eligible for reimbursement include overtime, equipment rentals, materials, search and rescue operations, and opening and operating shelters.
Fayette and Westmoreland are the only counties in the Pittsburgh area that have met the snowfall and expense requirements. Others that met the requirements are: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Mifflin, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Somerset, Snyder and York.
Five other counties – Cambria, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, and Union – met the snowfall requirements but haven't exceeded the minimum expenses yet.
There is no timetable for the White House to rule on the state's request.
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