From Allegheny County Executive, September 10, 2018

PITTSBURGH – County Executive Rich Fitzgerald today declared a countywide disaster emergency to enable county and municipal governments to continue responding effectively to the flooding and related damages caused by the ongoing rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon. At present, five municipalities within the county already have current disaster declarations in place.

“Our region has seen more than six inches of rain since Saturday, and more is expected. In addition to flooding, we’re also seeing landslides, power outages, road closures and other emergency situations,” said Fitzgerald. “I’ve issued this emergency declaration to ensure that Emergency Services has every tool that it may need available to it for response to assist our municipalities. While flood warnings have expired, and rain showers are leaving the area, our department will begin its assessment of damages, and will do everything it can to assist in any recovery.”

The declaration authorizes county agencies to use all available resources and personnel as necessary to deal with the magnitude and severity of this emergency situation. Bid and contract procedures, as well as other formalities normally prescribed by law, are waived for the duration of the declaration. Fitzgerald issued the disaster declaration on the recommendation of officials from Allegheny County Emergency Services (ACES). The department has been conducting a formal damage assessment process with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Western Area office.

Some 750 Actions in 89 Countries Now Planned on Climate Change

In just a couple of days, I will proudly march alongside my siblings and family as part of the Pacific Islander Contingent at the Rise for Climate, Jobs, & Justice march in San Francisco.

Our contingent includes Kanaka Maoli Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Fijians, Tongans, the Chamoru of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, and people of the Marshall Islands and other island nations in Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

People from across the world are taking action in their communities. Over 750 actions in 89 countries are planned.

Join this big, beautiful, and colorful day of action for climate justice this Saturday, Sept 8th. Here are the details for the events near you.

WHAT: #Rise for Renewables Rally: Clean Jobs for a Green Future
WHEN: Saturday, September 8, 2:00 PM
WHERE: Morgantown Farmers Market, Morgantown

RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/rise-for-renewables-rally-clean-jobs-for-a-green-future?referrer=350-org&source=tagged

In Ponce, Puerto Rico, more than 1,000 students are gathering to ask the local government to take climate action and create new clean energy projects. Miami is putting on a high profile concert, and Portland is working with a big coalition to protest LNG development at Jordan Cove. There is a lot to be excited for.

In San Francisco, I will join the Pacific Islander Contingent to create the world’s largest street mural that represents our struggles and our demands. We’ll be painting our climate change war cry on the mural for the whole world to see: “We are not drowning, We are fighting!”

Right now, all of our island nations are experiencing floods, drought, and more destructive storms — and some of our countries, like the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Kiribati, are already sinking underwater. But we are telling our story, and we are fighting back.

Art and storytelling are key to expressing our experiences on the frontlines of climate change. That’s one reason why this global day of action is so important for our communities.

Saturday will be our chance to get our elected officials to take the bold steps we need to combat the climate crisis. Will you join us in saying enough is enough?

RSVP now to join this historic day of action and share why you will Rise for Climate, Jobs, & Justice on September 8th.

The seas may rise to engulf our islands, but our connection to the land will never be broken. We refuse to have our self-determination and freedom compromised and believe that September 8th is our moment to paint a new future for climate justice.

This is our moment, Loa for 350.org

P.S. – On Saturday, be sure to post on social media using #RiseforClimate, or if you are not on social media, send your best photos to photos@riseforclimate.org.