Proclamation of Disaster Emergency [36 Pa.B. 5775]
[Saturday, September 16, 2006]September 1, 2006
Whereas, Heavy rain on August 29, 2006, saturated the soil in numerous communities in western Pennsylvania causing severe flooding and damaging homes, roads, bridges, and a state critical care center; and
Whereas, Ongoing monitoring and projections made by the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center have disclosed that Tropical System Ernesto is going to strike the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, Tropical System Ernesto has the potential to cause widespread and heavy rains and high winds throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which in turn poses a serious threat for flash flooding and other adverse impacts throughout the Commonwealth; and
Whereas, Tropical System Ernesto's potentially heavy rains, high winds, and risk of flash flooding may result in extensive damage to roads, streets, and bridges, private homes, businesses, and may cause other adverse impacts upon the general population of Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, the emergency situation caused by Tropical System Ernesto may be of such magnitude and severity as to render essential the Commonwealth's supplementation of county and municipal efforts and resources and the activation of all applicable state, county, and municipal emergency response plans.
Now Therefore, pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 7301(c) of the Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S. Section 7101 et seq.), I do hereby proclaim the existence of a disaster emergency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and I direct all Commonwealth departments and agencies to utilize all available resources and personnel as is deemed necessary to cope with the magnitude and severity of this emergency situation.
Further, I hereby transfer up to $2 million in unused appropriated funds to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The aforementioned funds shall be used for disaster-related expenses that may be incurred by various state agencies and departments. These funds shall be credited to a special account established by the Office of the Budget. All Commonwealth agencies purchasing supplies or services in response to this emergency are authorized to utilize the emergency procurement procedures set forth in Section 516 of the Commonwealth Procurement Code, 62 Pa.C.S. § 516. This Proclamation shall serve as the written determination of the basis for the emergency under Section 516; and
Further, I hereby direct the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to activate and staff the State Emergency Operations Center for the duration of this emergency situation and to augment it with personnel from other state agencies and departments. I also authorize the Agency to coordinate and direct the emergency preparedness and response activities of other state agencies and departments as deemed necessary to deal with the exigencies of this impending emergency situation through implementation of the State Emergency Operations Plan; and
Further, I hereby authorize the Secretary of Transportation to use all available equipment, resources, and personnel of the Department, in whatever manner that he deems necessary, to ensure that all state highways in the areas that may be affected by the disaster are cleared of debris and any other obstructions resulting from this severe storm and to ensure that highways, bridges, roadbeds, and related facilities and structures, including federal-aid highways, that may sustain damage in the disaster affected areas are immediately repaired, maintained, reconstructed, or replaced, or that new construction is undertaken where necessary. In addition, I hereby waive any laws or regulations that would restrict the application and use of the Department's equipment, resources, and personnel to assist local jurisdictions in the repairs and clearing and removal of debris and other types of obstructions from non-state-owned highways. This assistance to local jurisdictions may be provided solely at the discretion of the Secretary of Transportation. This assistance, however, does not apply to privately owned highways, roads, streets, or other types of property; and I hereby authorize the Secretary of Transportation, in his sole discretion, to waive any provision of the Vehicle Code or any other law or regulation which he is authorized by law to administer or enforce as may be necessary to respond to this impending emergency; and
Further, I have directed that the emergency response and recovery aspects of the Commonwealth and all applicable county, municipal, and other disaster emergency response and recovery plans be activated and that all state, county, and municipal actions taken to implement those plans be coordinated through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency; and
Further, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth, I hereby authorize the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania to place on state active duty for the duration of the emergency disaster proclamation, such individuals and units of the Pennsylvania National Guard, as requested by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, to alleviate the potential danger to public health and safety caused by the aforementioned emergency; and
Still Further, I hereby urge the governing bodies and executive officers of all political subdivisions that may be affected by this emergency to act as necessary to meet the current exigencies as legally authorized under this proclamation, namely: by the employment of temporary workers; by the rental of equipment; and by entering into such contracts and agreements as may be required to meet the emergency, all without regard to those time-consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law, mandatory constitutional requirements excepted.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the city of Harrisburg, this first day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-first.
Governor[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-1796. Filed for public inspection September 15, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]
