VSBA architect Kathleen Scanlon recently helped to fight flooding in Bradford County, PA. Here’s her story:
“After the extraordinary hurricane season of 2017, I decided I needed to find out what I could do to use my knowledge and skills to help people and communities affected by natural disasters. I found the AIA New York’s training session for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’s (Cal OES) Safety Assessment Program. It was created to train architects, engineers and other certified building professionals to assist local governments in the aftermath of a disaster. I completed the program in November 2017.
On August 21, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, experienced flash flooding that significantly damaged structures and roadways. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) requested support from the Pennsylvania Structural Engineers Emergency Response. PEMA requested Cal OES SAP-trained volunteers for a two day deployment to assist in assessing damages. I was ready to help and finally do more than watch the news and hope for the best.
Last week I reported to the Bradford County Emergency Operation Center along with a structural engineer from the Pittsburgh area and a civil engineer from the Harrisburg area. We assisted the local volunteers in recording the damages in the township of West Burlington and New Albany, PA.
The damage caused by the flooding of Towanda Creek was surprising. The Community Library in New Albany was swept off its foundation and into the street. Many roads and bridges were damaged, culverts were clogged with debris, and the roadbeds were undermined for significant distances. Volunteers measured and quantified portions of roads that would have to be rebuilt entirely. These townships will be recovering for some time to come.”