With the infusions of federal funding, Montgomery County towns are increasing their flood preparedness efforts amid the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ida, writes Justine McDaniel for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Norristown’s fire department is in the process of acquiring a high-water vehicle for rescues, while Bridgeport is adding two rescue boats and a trailer. Meanwhile, volunteer firefighters are undergoing advanced water rescue training.

However, these and many other efforts are unable to allay nerves about the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season.

“This is a huge issue, and it’s getting worse,” said Drew Shaw, who oversees environmental planning for the Montgomery County Planning Commission. “There’s no one solution.”

After Hurricane Ida left devastation in its wake, millions have come into Pennsylvania through the federal mechanisms for disaster relief, including FEMA assistance for public projects and individual residents and small business loans, among others.

One of the more recent injections of money includes funds to hire case managers who will work with still displaced Hurricane Ida victims in Montgomery and surrounding counties.

Bridgeport has also applied for a FEMA grant program that would enable it to acquire and demolish homes in the floodplain and turn the area into preserved open space.

Read more about the flood preparedness efforts in Montgomery County in The Philadelphia Inquirer.