Sinkhole Issues Throughout State Have Put Increasing Burden on Residents and Municipalities / FEMA Has Not Previously Provided Funds for Sinkhole Repair / Sinkholes Have Caused Significant Damage in the Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg and Communities Across PA
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a letter to Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urging the agency to adopt a new policy that would reimburse municipalities in Pennsylvania and across the country for the cost of sinkhole damage. Sinkholes have caused recent damage across Pennsylvania yet FEMA does not currently aid communities by offsetting cleanup costs. Currently FEMA is engaged in a process to potentially revise its policy and reimburse local governments for the costs that come from sinkhole damage.
“Sinkholes have been an issue across Pennsylvania and have had a significant impact on residents and municipal budgets,” Senator Casey said. “I’m pleased that FEMA has undertaken a review of this policy and am encouraging the agency to begin reimbursing local governments for the costs of sinkhole damage.”
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter can be seen below:
Dear Mr. Fugate:
Over the years, sinkholes have caused significant property damage for many of my constituents and damaged municipalities through the Commonwealth. These sinkholes have forced municipalities to direct their already limited resources to repair them. I am writing to encourage FEMA to change their policy and provide opportunities for people who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from sinkholes to obtain federal funding and assistance.
I understand that FEMA has not previously provided funding for sinkholes. However, I have also been informed that FEMA is currently in the process of developing national policy guidance regarding pre-hazard mitigation funding for sinkholes. I urge FEMA to prioritize finalizing these national guidelines regarding federal disaster assistance for sinkholes under the pre-hazard mitigation disaster program to ensure that the Commonwealth and affected municipalities can obtain resources to repair and recover from the damages caused by sinkholes.
Thank you for your consideration of my views. I appreciate your responsiveness to my efforts to advocate on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and if you have any questions please contact my staff. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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