TOWNSHIP TIDBIT:

The first known deed issued in New Hanover was for 200 acres to Johannes Schneider, December 9, 1718. The site is now the Gilbertsville Golf Course.

Property Damage From Last Night's Storm?  Read this...


From Montgomery County:
 
Our Department of Public Safety continues to monitor the event and has shared the following statistics from the storm:
 
• Our 9-1-1 call center answered 6,583 calls for assistance since 11 a.m. yesterday which is three times the calls we receive within a 24-hour period.
 
• Our busiest hour was yesterday between 6 and 7 p.m. where we received 1,067 calls.
 
• In addition we have recorded more than 452 water rescue events with some still active.
 
• This storm is a historical flooding event with total rainfall coming in at an average of 8.25 inches Countywide. Many of our roads and bridges still remain closed.
 
Our advice to residents is to stay vigilant and stay off the roads if you can. After last night's rain, the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek are continuing to rise. Both waterways have already surpassed all-time records. Please do not travel unless you absolutely have to.
 
The size and scope of the damage from this storm is vast across the County. Because of this, we are standing up additional response efforts to help residents and keep them informed.
 
• Residents who would like to get text messages with updates on storm recovery, please Text MontcoIda to 888-777.
 
• Individuals needing a place to stay on Thursday night (September 2) may go to the Red Cross Shelter at the Norristown Area High School, located at 1900 Eagle Drive, Norristown, PA 19403.
 
• Anyone who has experienced property damage must report the damage to both the County and your township or borough. You can do this by visiting our website at www.montcopa.org/ida to get a link to the County’s form.
 
• We have stood up a Hurricane Ida Crisis Cleanup Hotline (844) 965-1386 for residents who have sustained damage and need help with cutting fallen trees, removing affected drywall, flooring, and appliances; tarping roofs, and mold remediation.
 
All of this information is posted on the County website at www.montcopa.org/Ida. We encourage everyone to check this page for updates as the recovery operations continue.
 
In addition, the National Weather Service is investigating an area that sustained significant damage during the storm last night to determine whether a tornado touched down. The track runs southwest to northeast from Whitemarsh Township, through Upper Dublin Township, and up the PA 309 corridor to Horsham.
 
And finally, due to the severity of the damage from this storm, the County has issued a disaster declaration, which will enable us to collect any potential subsequent reimbursement for storm-related response and damage.
 
Please feel free to share the following storm recovery messaging with your community:
 
• NEVER walk or drive into floodwaters, even after the storm. Floodwaters contain hidden hazards such as downed electrical lines, sharp objects, sudden drops where the ground has been washed away, and hazardous chemicals. Keep children and pets away.
 
• If you don’t have power, do not call 9-1-1 simply to report the outage. The County’s Emergency Communications Center is still extremely busy with storm-related incidents. Call your local utility provider to report the outage, or utilize their website or mobile application.
 
• Always assume that all power lines are live, even if you lose power in your home or business. Never go near or touch a fallen power line.
 
• If you have a portable generator, never use it inside your home or even in a partially enclosed area. Generators, as well as gas and charcoal grills, produce Carbon Monoxide, which is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you. Keep the generator far away from doors, windows, and air intakes.
 
• Never overload the generator or attempt to power your house by plugging it into a wall outlet. Both practices can cause electric shock or fire.
 
• If you use candles for light, exercise extreme caution and never place them near combustible materials such as curtains or furniture. Battery powered candles or flashlights are much safer, especially if you have children or pets.