Gov. Wolf signs weather emergency proclamation, officials urge people to stay home

The remnants of Hurricane Ida have moved into Pennsylvania, prompting emergency response officials to urge residents to stay home and brace for heavy rainfall, high winds, and flooding.

“We’re under a rare level four out of four high-risk day for flash flooding,” Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency state meteorologist Jeff Jumper told reporters during a Wednesday morning briefing. “So imagine about a month to two months worth of rain falling in less than 24 hours.”

He added: “It’s a significant day, and we typically don’t see those. Only 13 of those have been issued since 2010 to cover the commonwealth.”

Gov. Tom Wolf signed a disaster emergency proclamation late Tuesday night in anticipation of rainfall and flooding. Twenty-four-hour emergency response, led by the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center, began early Wednesday.

“As we continue to monitor the conditions, I ask everyone to please stay home if you’re able,” Wolf said. “If you must travel, please monitor the latest road conditions and weather updates. Please, I urge everyone to take this storm seriously and stay safe.”

Parts of western Pennsylvania reported flooding and closed roadways early Wednesday morning. Jumper said storms are expected to move east throughout the day, with anticipated damaging winds and tornadoes into the evening.

More than 100 members of the National Guard have been deployed throughout the state to help with emergency response and a “multi-day event” to address impacts from the storm, PEMA Director Randy Padfield said.