During the final meeting of the Washington County Local Emergency Planning Committee for 2026, The Washington County Department of Public Safety spoke of their recognition by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their efforts to address flooding concerns and coordinate local agencies to help those who sustained flood damage during floods on September 12 and 20. Dustyn Montgomery, Emergency Planning Officer for WCPDS organized efforts to combine the two events into one event to have the county qualify for SBA loan opportunities and PEMA DRAP grants. He guided the county in arranging several events for residents to apply for programs. His leadership has been described as a model for similar future Pennsylvania events. Residents may still apply for SBA loans until December 22, 2026 and for PEMA DRAP grants until January 26, 2027. Deputy Director of the WCPDS Dan Harvey reviewed two hazmat incidents that occurred over the last month. The New Eagle Municipal Sewer Authority is working through an underground thermos-reaction. A parking lot is currently emitting temperature readings of 170-180 degrees. It is unknown what is causing the reaction but it is being monitored daily. The second incident is the accumulation of what has been determined as waste oil in a pond at Forest Lawn Gardens Cemetery in Peters Township. The DEP is working on determining where the oil is coming from. They seem to have it narrowed down to an automobile repair facility or a dealership repair facility on Rt. 19. The WCDPS is also updating their Hazard Mitigation Plan. (Photo: WCDPS Facebook Page)