In Manayunk, A Day To Pump Out And Clean Up From Irene's Mess
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Flooded homes and businesses in Manayunk were spending the day today cleaning up the mess left by Hurricane Irene.
Main Street is open now, along with most businesses in Manayunk. But along the low-lying stretch near Shurs Lane, there is the sound of workers shoveling mud and generators powering pumps draining flooded basements.
And for veterans of Schuylkill River flooding here, pre-storm preparations kept the damage from being worse.
At "Dwelling," a home furnishings firm, president Michael Dornblum says he was well prepared, using extra sandbags and plastic before he moved his merchandise to higher ground.
"Without the preparation, water would have come in," he tells KYW Newsradio. "It was higher than our back door. And we would have been dealing with mud rather than just putting the showroom back together."
Dornblum says damage at his business was limited to a loading dock that had to be pumped out. Oh, and one other thing.
"We did break a lamp when we were moving everything. So, I'll take that any day."
Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060
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Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett today asked President Obama to declare 11 Pennsylvania counties -– including Philadelphia and the four suburban counties -– federal disaster areas. The declaration would be first step toward federal aid.
More counties may be added to the list as damage assessments continue.
Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio Harrisburg bureau chief
