Governor Declares State Of Emergency

Gov. Tom Corbett declared a state of emergency throughout Pennsylvania, which will enable local governments to better respond to Hurricane Irene and the damage the storm is expected to inflict upon the Philadelphia area.

 “We are urging all Pennsylvanians to take action now to be prepared,’’ Corbett said in a press release posted to the state’s Web site. “We will continue to monitor this changing situation statewide and plan for all possible emergencies. Should the need arise, we will be able to help as quickly and efficiently as possible.’’

Philadelphia and Delaware County are under a hurricane warning and Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties are under a tropical storm warning.

The latest forecasts indicate the storm will hit its intensity here Saturday night and into Sunday with wind gusts of 60 mph or more. Irene is expected to dump up to 10 inches of rain on an already sodden Philadelphia area.

The National Weather Service and the Governor’s Office are warning residents that these conditions could lead to downed trees and utility wires, resulting in major power outages and flash flooding.

Resources:

• www.511PA.com for road conditions
• www.ReadyPA.org for suggestions on preparing for emergencies