NORTHEAST PA — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro asked President Joe Biden for a major disaster declaration for Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties in the wake of deadly flash floods on Sept. 9 that caused extensive destruction across the northeastern Pennsylvania counties. 

The floods claimed the lives of two residents and caused numerous injuries and extensive damage.

On Nov. 16 U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-8) sent a letter to Biden urging him to make the declaration, which would provide money to help residents find temporary residences, fix their houses, and pay for their medical expenses, while also authorizing grants to rebuild infrastructure.

Pennsylvania has already had a difficult year because of extreme weather events, including the severe storm and flooding that devastated communities in Berks, Bucks, and Northampton counties in July, the members acknowledged in their letter.