With the generous support of AARP Foundation, SeniorLAW Center is serving the legal needs of older Pennsylvanians impacted by the devastating flooding and other storm damage caused by Hurricane Ida in September 2021.
Current Situation
Hurricane Ida was the second-most deadly and destructive Category 4 hurricane on record in the United States causing record flooding and seven tornadoes.
The storm killed 95 people in the United States, including five in Pennsylvania, and caused billions of dollars in property damage.
The storm impacted a total of 1200 homes in Pennsylvania, with 81 homes destroyed and major structural damage to 554 homes. Under President Biden’s major disaster declaration, Individual Assistance was made available to affected individuals and households in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York Counties.
As of October 13, 2021, over 5,700 applications for FEMA assistance have been filed by households which include those 60 and older in the hardest hit counties in Pennsylvania, including Bedford (75), Bucks (773), Chester (607), Delaware (403), Montgomery (1345), Northampton (95), Philadelphia (1463) and York (471). Over 7,000 older people live in these homes.
Effect on Older People
- Lack of adequate shelter
- Physical/Financial Abuse stemming from change in housing/circumstances
- Unscrupulous Contractors
- Challenges navigating insurer and/or FEMA claim processes
- Lack of information on resources available
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