What we do
This site offers local, State, Federal, and weather related information regarding emergencies that might effect our local area.
Our business history
This site was recently created on September 11, 2004. The flooding events of September 17, 2004 prompted this website as a carrier for emergency information.
The Flood of September 2004:
The Flood
The night of September 17th was unlike any other time, in our community of Fair Oaks. It compared to the flood of 1936, for those who were around back then and could compare the two. Those of us with experience in Crisis Management had our limits and knowledge tested to the limit. That evening we received over 6 inches of rainfall and a night most of us will never forget.
The water of Big Sewickley Creek came up so quickly and flowed so rapidly that its path left devastation and shock all along the creek route. Backyard items were floating away; water was taking refuge in basements, crashing through windows and flooding garages. Residents were scrambling and emergency sirens were ringing out in neighborhoods bordering the creek.
The Fair Oaks Fire Department and Allegheny Emergency Management were receiving never-ending calls for help. Other communities in Beaver County were sending additional help, along with rescue boats and vehicles that could maneuver through the high rising water. The Quaker Valley School District provided safe haven for students who were stranded and supplied busses to transport evacuated residents to the upper Heath South facility located at the top of Camp Meeting Road. The primary focus at this point for me as Emergency Management Coordinator was to set up the Emergency Operations Center, provide safe transportation to those evacuated [with housing assistance from the Heath South staff for those with special needs and the evacuees, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army for providing food] and prioritize community needs as requests came in from the F.O. Volunteer Fire Department. The Emergency Operations Center was located in the F.O.V.F.D. and a 24-hour a day kitchen was established to feed residents and emergency workers as well as a small medical station for those with light injuries. The kitchen ran from Friday night until Monday evening, providing meals and a warm refuge to those who needed it. Those in the F.O.V.F.D. were heroes as they worked non-stop throughout the day and night. They were victims as well, putting the needs of others ahead of themselves.
Clean up began, neighbors were helping neighbors, dumpsters were brought in [approximately 46], and the damage assessment was to begin its long and tedious job of contacting insurance agencies, FEMA, local help organizations, and re-formation of family life, as best possible. This cleanup would go on for months and continues now, 7 months after the fact.
Flood Preparation and Programs
How does one prepare for the unknown?
Past experience
Research
Readiness
Being Pro-Active
Programs for Flood Information:
Mitigation Division:
http://www.fema.gov/fima/
Response and Recovery:
http://fema.gov/rrr/qanda.shtm
Individual Assistance Programs:
http://fema.gov/rrr/inassist.shtm
Preparation and Prevention:
http://fema.gov/library/prepandprev.shtm &
http://fema.gov/library/prepandprev.shtm#floods
All the above sites give you information that might come in handy for future reference. While it would be wonderful to think that certain programs are free, there are guidelines and stipulations that one must follow in order to qualify for assistance. If you do not have insurance, FEMA might provide monies as well as a small interest loan with the stipulation that flood insurance is purchased in the future. If one lives in a known flood plain, that homeowner cannot expect FEMA or any other organization to bail them out at little or no cost. If the homeowner does have insurance then FEMA might pick up the additional costs that the homeowners insurance might not cover.
Localized Programs:
Habitat for Humanity: 412.271.7220
Hosanna Industries: 724.770.0262
1.888.444.4672
Construction services, weatherization updates, sub-standard mobile home upgrades, comprehensive building rehabilitation, disaster relief services, disability access improvements and counseling services are available to needy, qualified low-income households in Allegheny County and surrounding regions.
Breachmenders: 412.621.2530
Labor free repair program, which provides matching grants of up to $800 to city homeowners for home repairs. Eligibility is based according to income.
Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging: 412.350.5460
Qualifies senior citizens for the Christmas in April program. Administered by the Master Builders Association, home repairs are made primarily for citizens over 60 years of age by volunteers on the last Saturday in April.
For additional information, log onto www.leettownship.com. This is our local Emergency Management website, created for Leet Township residents.
About our staff
I was appointed Emergency Management Coordinator in 2004. When Ivan hit our area, I found a wonderful friend and counterpart in Gerri Miller. Gerri provided countless experience, support, and hours upon hours of dedication.
What makes us unique
I will try to provide an information vehicle for those needing assistance.
