READING, PA — When floodwaters tore through Berks County in July 2023, they left devastation in their wake—homes gutted, schools damaged, and families facing insurmountable losses. But thanks to the Shapiro Administration’s swift action and the activation of the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP), those same families found a lifeline when they needed it most.
This innovative program, first used under Governor Josh Shapiro’s watch, has been a game-changer for disaster recovery in Pennsylvania. Aimed at helping lower-income households that don’t qualify for—or have exhausted—other avenues of assistance, DRAP funds provide grants of up to $10,000 per household. These funds can be used to repair homes, cover temporary housing costs, and replace essential belongings. Nearly $125,000 in DRAP funding has already gone directly to Berks County residents, illustrating just how impactful this program can be.
“Immediately following the Berks County flooding, Governor Shapiro promised residents that his Administration would work with state and local officials and volunteer organizations to help them recover from these storms,” Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield said. “We delivered on that promise using a whole community approach with our VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) partners and activated the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Program.”
Turning Recovery Promises into Action
The July 2023 storms devastated communities across Berks County. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, with families in areas like Lower Alsace Township and the Antietam School District particularly hard-hit. The Antietam Middle School suffered severe damage, making it clear that recovery would require coordinated efforts and significant resources.
To provide immediate relief, the Shapiro Administration established a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) to connect residents to vital services. Over just three days, 235 people sought help from various agencies—state, local, and volunteer-based. From helping families file insurance claims to replacing vital documents and testing well water, the MARC played a critical role in guiding people toward available resources.
Public schools were not forgotten in the recovery plan, either. Recognizing the lasting impact of damaged educational facilities, the Shapiro Administration awarded $7.8 million in Environmental Repair Grants to the Antietam School District to restore their middle school. This funding ensured that students could return to a functional learning environment and offered a sense of normalcy at a time when stability was hard to come by.
Berks County Emergency Services Director Brian Gottschall emphasized the importance of these efforts. “PEMA’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program helped to mitigate some of the most immediate needs from affected households in the aftermath of the floods,” he said, underscoring the centrality of DRAP in supporting local recovery.
A Grassroots Approach to Long-Term Recovery
What sets DRAP apart isn’t just the funding—it’s the collaborative approach. By working with trusted community organizations, Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (PAVOAD), and volunteer groups, the Shapiro Administration maximized the impact of every dollar. Volunteers provided hands-on help, from cleaning up debris to repairing homes, all with funding support from DRAP grants.
For Julia Frank, PAVOAD’s President, the results are a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration. “The combined strength of volunteer rebuilders, expert case managers, and DRAP funds make survivor recovery possible in an era marked by more frequent and volatile storms,” she said.
One remarkable story stands out. A single mother and her teenage daughter were left reeling after floodwaters ruined the insulation, flooring, and skirting of their Berks County home. Family and church members stepped in to clean up, but the home needed extensive repairs—something they couldn’t afford. With $8,400 from DRAP and volunteer labor organized by the Antietam Valley Long Term Recovery Group, repairs were completed, and the family is now close to fully recovering.
Building a Statewide Blueprint for Disaster Recovery
The success of DRAP in Berks County has already set a precedent. Since its activation, the program has been used five additional times for flooding and fire disasters across Pennsylvania. To date, it’s provided $269,337 in aid to 51 households—offering crucial support to those who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks.
This is no small feat. Before DRAP’s introduction as Act 54 in 2022, Pennsylvania lacked a tailored recovery program to address the gaps left by insurance and federal aid. By creating a safety net for low-income families, Governor Shapiro and his team have transformed the way the state handles disasters, setting a model that other states may soon follow.
“By activating the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, the Shapiro Administration ensured that families with nowhere else to turn received critical support and that relief reached those who needed it most,” said Judy Schwank, State Senator for Berks County.
Preparing for the Future
With climate change driving more frequent and severe weather events, Pennsylvania’s disaster preparedness and recovery strategies are more important than ever. Programs like DRAP offer a glimpse of what effective disaster relief looks like—one that prioritizes the people and communities most in need.
For Berks County residents, the past 18 months have shown the resilience of their community and the effectiveness of targeted recovery efforts. The work done through DRAP has not only repaired homes and restored schools but has given families a sense of hope.
However, the road ahead will demand continued investment and collaboration. For the Shapiro Administration, the mission is clear. Disaster recovery isn’t just about rebuilding structures—it’s about rebuilding lives, with integrity, commitment, and the full strength of community partnership.
And for the families of Berks County, that mission has made all the difference.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.