Nearly a week after severe storms tore through the City of Erie, officials are announcing resources that will soon be available to residents recovering from the damage.<\/p>\n
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Erie Mayor Daria Devlin said neighborhoods across the city were among the hardest hit areas.<\/p>\n
Many residents have had to hire tree-cutting services to remove large branches and limbs that fell onto their homes and properties.<\/p>\n
Mayor Devlin said the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, or PEMA, is now in Erie assessing the damage and determining what resources residents may need in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are going to be working with the Small Business Administration to see about some SBA loans. If the SBA declares a disaster, there can be very, very low-interest loans available to homeowners to repair their homes. That\u2019s something we are working on with them,\u201d Devlin said.<\/p>\n
The mayor also says a multi-agency resource center is being planned. The center would bring various state resources together in one location, giving residents the opportunity to ask questions, complete paperwork and learn more about available assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, this multi-agency resource center, that\u2019s where they bring all state resources to one location in the city and people can just stop in and ask questions, fill out paperwork and understand how they can really be helped,\u201d Devlin said.<\/p>\n
State disaster recovery assistance could also provide direct funding to homeowners affected by the storms.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd lastly, the state disaster recovery assistance, those are funds that will be available directly to homeowners,\u201d Devlin said.<\/p>\n
Currently, SNAP replacement benefits are the only resources that are available, others will be available soon.<\/p>\n
Mayor Devlin said more information about resources and support for City of Erie residents will be available from PEMA in the coming days.<\/p>\n