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Federal Disaster Money Would Help Communities Impacted by Snowstorm

POTTSVILLE — There are still piles of snow on the streets throughout Schuylkill County one month after a storm left behind more than two feet of snow. In ...

POTTSVILLE -- There are still piles of snow on the streets throughout Schuylkill County one month after a storm left behind more than two feet of snow.

In Pottsville, 28 inches of snow fell during the late January storm.

The street department supervisor said the city used more than $70,000 for storm cleanup over the course of two days.

During a typical winter, the city of Pottsville uses about 500 tons of rock salt. During the January 22-23 storm, they used 300 tons.

That's why Governor Tom Wolf is now turning to the president in hopes of getting his signature on a disaster declaration. It would provide federal money to Schuylkill and Snyder counties and about two dozen other counties in the state.

The money would help places like Pottsville that spent a large sum of money on rock salt, anti-skid, rental equipment, and man power.

"Let me put it this way, every little bit that they can get to help would be an advantage to the area," Robert Keip of Saint Clair said.

According to the governor, more than $55 million was used on storm cleanup throughout the state.

In Saint Clair, borough officials said that more than $12,000 was used during the two days of the storm.

"The amount of salt that was used, it could be spread over several weeks of the amount that was used for that weekend just to maintain and keep the roads open," Saint Clair borough secretary Roland Price said.

Bill Umbenhauer and his road crew spent days clearing the streets of Saint Clair. He hopes the president sees that municipalities like his could use some money.

"Well I hope and pray to God the boroughs do get some help. I mean, it's a big expense to keep the people safe. One life is worth millions in my mind," Umbenhauer said.

A total of 31 counties have submitted information following January's snowstorm.

There is no timeline if and when President Obama will sign off on federal disaster money.

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