HARRISBURG, Pa. – Joint preliminary damage assessments are underway in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where teams are reviewing Hurricane Sandy damage in several counties.

A preliminary damage assessment is an information-gathering process and does not guarantee federal assistance. Federal, Commonwealth and local officials are working together to assess the damage. The Commonwealth will use the information to determine whether to make an official request for federal assistance.

Pennsylvania Governor Corbett requested joint preliminary damage assessments of Hurricane Sandy-affected counties. FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have been teamed up with Commonwealth and local officials to review damage to infrastructure, homes and businesses in Berks, Bucks, Franklin, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties. The teams will not visit every home or business.  

Earlier this week, the Civil Air Patrol provided officials with a bird’s eye view of damages in Franklin County, flying over Hurricane Sandy-impacted homes and businesses there.

Additionally, FEMA coordinated the issue of 239,703 liters of water; 103,668 shelf-stable meals; 10 infant-toddler kits; and 15 generators in Pennsylvania.

At the request of the Commonwealth, FEMA has been coordinating the installation of generators since before Hurricane Sandy swept through the area. FEMA tasked a specialized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Power Planning and Response Team to install generators in locations such as medical facilities, emergency operation centers and emergency shelters.

Community Relations Specialists have been assisting emergency managers in counties impacted by Sandy. Earlier this week, specialists assisted in Kintnersville at the Bucks County American Red Cross Shelter in Palisades High School. The FEMA teams helped distribute water, shelf-stable meals and other necessary supplies at the shelter, where hundreds of Hurricane Sandy-impacted residents have sought assistance.

FEMA will remain in the Commonwealth for as long as necessary, supporting residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy.