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Environment

PennState Extension Offering Residential Stormwater Solutions: Watershed-Friendly Tips Live Webinar

Stormwater runoff contributes to flooding and water pollution across Pennsylvania, leading to significant economic and environmental challenges.  If you care for property – residential or otherwise – it’s crucial to understand how runoff impacts your land and how to manage it effectively.  Residential Stormwater Solutions: Watershed-Friendly Tips will introduce Penn State’s Watershed-Friendly Property Certification Program and Stormwater Basics Series, offering practical guidance on implementing stormwater management best practices.  Learn how to protect water resources on your property or rental unit and reduce the harmful effects of runoff.

Register by: February 25, 2025.  This event if FREE of charge.  To register, click HERE.

The webinar is Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.  Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.  A link to the recorded webinar will be emailed to registrants within ten business days after the live event.  The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.

Who is this for?

The webinar series is designed for anyone who owns or manages residential property, including:

  • Single-family detached homes
  • Multi-family housing structures
  • Condominiums/HOA members
  • Apartment dwellers who care of open space outside their building
  • Anyone interested in learning more about residential-scale stormwater best management practice

What will you learn?

  • Where stormwater originates on your property and where it flows
  • How stormwater pollutes local streams and rivers
  • Resources from Penn State Extension to help you manage stormwater
  • How to get Watershed-Friendly Certification for your property

 

MS4 Presentation – Public Comment Invited

Lower Southampton Township invites the public to review and provide written comment on the Township’s Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) and the Township’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan beginning on July 24, 2024 and extending through August 27, 2024. The PRP and TMDL Plan, as required by the Township’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), outlines the Township’s 5-year plan, to reduce sediment and nutrient loading to impaired local surface waters. The Township is proposing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce sediment and nutrient loading to Neshaminy Creek and Poquessing Creek.  A copy of the PRP and TMDL Plans are available for public review at the Township Municipal Building located at 1500 Desire Avenue, Feasterville, PA 19053 Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Public comments should be submitted, in writing, to the Lower Southampton Township Manager at the address listed above no later than August 27, 2024 at 5:00 pm.   The Township will also discuss the PRP and TMDL Plans and accept comments from the public at its regularly scheduled workshop session with the Board of Supervisors Meeting on August 14, 2024 at 6:30 pm.

Prepare for Hurricanes & Summer Storms

Prepare for Hurricanes and Summer Storms

For many, warm weather means enjoying the outdoors with picnics, swimming and gardening. But summer isn’t always a day at the beach. As temperatures increase, so do the chances for thunderstorms and hurricanes.

Although hurricane season began in May, late summer and early fall are when we typically experience the most hurricanes as ocean waters warm. Remember, hurricanes are not just a coastal problem, so it’s important to know the risks where you live since rain, wind and flooding could happen far from the coast. No matter where you live, thunderstorms can also be a threat. Lightning injures 243 people and kills about 20 people on average each year in the United States (see Weather.gov for more information). Heavy rain from thunderstorms can lead to flash floods and power outages. In addition, tornadoes can form during some thunderstorms.

Here are some tips to prepare for storms this summer:

For all storms

  • Download the free FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service and to stay informed about watches and warnings. You can also sign up to receive Emergency Alerts in your area.
  • Make an emergency plan. Be sure to have extra water and nonperishable foods at home. Get started by having enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectants and pet supplies. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. If there’s a chance you will need to evacuate, create a smaller “go bag” to take with you or keep in the trunk of your vehicle. Remember that after certain severe weather events like a hurricane or tornado, you may not be able to buy some essential items for days or even weeks.

Hurricanes

  • Know your risk for hurricanes and take action to prepare by visiting FEMA’s Protective Actions Research website. Hurricanes are not just a coastal concern. Rain, wind, flooding and even tornadoes can strike far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
  • If you live in an area that’s affected by hurricanes, practice your evacuation route with household members and pets, and identify where you will stay. Local emergency managers can provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community.
  • Make sure to clear storm drains and gutters and bring outside furniture indoors. Consider installing hurricane shutters if you need added protection against the storm.

Thunderstorms

  • Be prepared for thunderstorm, lightning and hail by planning to move inside a sturdy building or a metal vehicle with a roof. Remember the saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Moving under a tree to stay dry is especially dangerous because lightning often strikes the tallest object in its path.
  • There is no safe space outdoors. If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
    • Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.
    • Never lie flat on the ground.
    • Never shelter under an isolated tree.
    • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
    • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.
    • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.).
  • Unplug appliances and plan to avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity from lightning can travel through plumbing and phone lines. Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
  • Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

Tornadoes

  • Be prepared for a tornado by understanding that they can happen anytime, anywhere so it’s important to know where to stay safe. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, immediately find a place such as a basement or storm cellar where you can safely shelter in place. If you can’t find a basement or storm cellar, locate a small, interior room on the lowest level where you are, and shelter there until it is safe to come out of your shelter location.
  • If you are outside and can’t get to a sturdy building, do not shelter under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck. Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.

FREE Stormwater Solutions Webinars for Residents

Penn State Extension is hosting a series of FREE Stormwater Solutions Webinars for residents.

RAIN GARDENS – A STORMWATER SLAM DUNK – November 21, 2023 (12 PM – 1 PM) – Click HERE to learn more.

BACKYARD MEADOWS – November 28, 2023 (12 PM – 1 PM) – Click HERE to learn more.

STORMWATER-FRIENDLY LAWN CARE STRATEGIES – November 30, 2023 (12 PM – 1 PM) – Click HERE to learn more.

Bucks County Conservation District offering FREE Stormwater Workshop

On Saturday, October 28th at 10 AM, the Bucks County Conservation District will host a stormwater management workshop for Lower Bucks County residents.   This workshop is at the Central Park Pavillion, Byberry Road, in Bensalem Township.

With rainfall on the rise, the region has witnessed an uptick in stormwater runoff.  the runoff has led to increased pollution and flooding concerns.  This workshop intends to address these challenges by offering participants insights on various tools and techniques to enhance water quality and diminish the amount of water runoff from their homes and workplaces.  In addition, attendees will have the chance to participate in raffles and walk away with giveaways.

PECO Preparing for Heavy Rain & Strong Winds Today

PECO is closely monitoring current weather forecasts and preparing for heavy rain and strong winds today and into tonight. We are currently preparing our crews and employees to respond to any outages that may occur due to this storm.

It is also important for you to take steps to prepare and know how to stay connected with us before any possible weather or outages.

Stay in touch.

If your lights go out, we offer several ways for your to report your outage. Save these links now so they are quickly and easily accessible if you need them.

  • Download our PECO mobile app to quickly report an outage from a mobile device. The app will also provide notifications as the outage status is updated.
  • Utilize our two-way texting program for reporting an outage and receiving updates. By texting “ADDOUTAGE” to MYPECO (697326), customers can opt in to receiving text message updates, report outages and check the status of their outage through text. To use this service a customer’s mobile number must be registered with their account.
  • Report an outage online, including on a smart phone or tablet, by providing the account or phone number.
  • Use our interactive outage map to report an outage and for the most up-to-date outage information.
  • Call us directly at 1-800-841-4141 to report an outage or natural gas emergency.
    • If you smell natural gas or see downed power lines, leave the area immediately and call 1-800-841-4141. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Stay Safe.

  • Always stay away from damaged electrical equipment, especially downed power lines and tree limbs that may come into contact with power lines.
  • Don’t connect your portable generator directly to your home’s wiring. Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.