Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
State senators announce $1.5M in grants
Upper Dublin, Horsham townships to administer funds
UPPER DUBLIN >> As they marked one year since Hurricane Ida and a related tornado struck Horsham and Upper Dublin Townships, two state senators announced good news for those still recovering from that storm.
State Sens. Vincent Hughes, D-7th Dist., and Maria Collett, D-12th Dist., announced $1.5 million in state grant money for those recovering from the damage the storm caused.
“The remnants of Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc in our region, and even a year later, all we have to do is look at places like the Upper Dublin township building, the Temple Ambler campus, or the number of
homes that remain covered by tarps, to know that the storm’s impact is still being felt today,” Collett said.
“Our communities have suffered crushing losses, from lost keepsakes and damaged property, to uninhabitable homes and displacement, to the tragic death of one of our neighbors. As local families continue to feel the impacts of the storm, I’m proud to be here with you today, alongside Senator Vincent Hughes, to announce $1.5 million in state relief funding for Upper Dublin and Horsham townships,” she said.
As they spoke just after a ribbon cutting on Temple Ambler’s campus commemorating one year since storm damage there, the two senators recalled seeing the storm damage in that area one year prior, which Collett said will provide up to $2,500 per household via programs to be administered by each township.
“This is a good moment. This is a positive moment. And it’s a little sobering to think about where we were a year ago,” Hughes said.
“Driving through these communities, talking to folks, listening, the governor came down and joined us, everyone came together to hear and to respond. But we wanted to make sure that this grant money was available, because we knew the pain did not stop at that moment. The pain did not stop a year ago,” he said. “It is a way to make sure that people know you are not forgotten.”
Both said they felt last year’s storms were a sign that larger climate issues must be addressed, and that local communities often bear the brunt of severe weather.
“This $1.5 million will go to provide a helping hand to families who were devastated, and who still remain impacted by what occurred a year ago,” Hughes said.
Upper Dublin Township Manager Kurt Ferguson said that day “demonstrated the strength of Upper Dublin Township, our remarkable resilience, the determination of our residents, to help one another, and our wonderful staff, first responders, community organizations, business and volunteers.”
Damage to that township totaled more than 1,500 public, private and institutional properties, with 115 families that were displaced and one resident killed by the storms, according to the manager. A memorial was scheduled for Thursday evening who were planning to walk through the most affected areas, which Ferguson said will be just one of many events meant to bring the community back together.
“We look forward to future evets where we celebrate, especially across our most effected areas, the complete work of the township, the restoration of all of our homes, our institutions, our business and our township building. And we’ll look forward to having you both there to celebrate that day,” he said.
And Collett read a statement from Horsham Manager Bill Walker, who was unable to attend Thursday but said nearly 800 properties in that township were damaged by the tornado and the related flooding.
“While township staff and first responders did everything they could to support residents facing overwhelming loss, there are still families who are struggling to recover. I’m grateful to Senator Collett and Senator Hughes for their support, and I look forward to working with them to get these funds out to the people who need it most,” Walker said.