Feb 6, 2010 2:05 pm US/Eastern

Gov. Rendell Declares Disaster Emergency

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ―

Snowfall has caused Gov. Ed Rendell to declare a disaster emergency for the state of Pennsylvania.

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All the snow that has fallen on the state of Pennsylvania since Friday has prompted the governor to declare a disaster emergency.

The governor's declaration allows officials to bypass bid and contract procedures to deal with the emergency.

Pennsylvania National Guard forces had been deployed to help state police, Rendell said.

Snow continued to fall in western Pennsylvania forcing Allegheny, Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland Counties to declare a disaster emergency as a result.

According to a press release from Allegheny County, the disaster emergency was declared at 6:30 a.m. due to the severe weather conditions and heavy snow that has been falling since Friday afternoon.

Approximately 100,000 residencies in Allegheny County are currently without power and many roads are impassable as power lines and trees continue to fall.

The county is also asking for all non-essential and non-emergency vehicles to remain off the roads so that Public Works crews, power companies and emergency responders can get where they need to be.

In addition, the Pennsylvania American Water Company has experienced a power outage at a treatment facility and is asking customers to voluntarily conserve water.

Other Declared Disaster Emergencies

Newell Borough
Monroeville
McKeesport
West Mifflin
Monessen
Indiana
Canonsburg
Plum
North Versailles
O'Hara Township
Monongahela
Charleroi
Port Vue
Midway Borough
Jeannette
Mt. Lebanon
Lower Burrell
Verona
Leechburg
California
Cranberry
McDonald
Masontown
Whitehall
North Fayette
Harmony
Zelienople

http://kdka.com/local/Allegheney.County ... 74857.html