On July 14, 2025, an intense storm with heavy rainfall hit Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. Five to six inches of rain in just a short time caused localized flooding in the Davidson Township area. As a result, five projects were identified as needing assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. The Rooker property after the nearby stream was stabilized through the EWP Program.

The EWP Program helps local communities recover after natural disasters strike. The Pennsylvania NRCS uses EWP as a recovery program aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property resulting from a significant floodings event. NRCS provides financial and engineering assistance to local communities to assist them in stabilizing streambanks, removing debris, establishing vegetative cover, and addressing other natural resource-related concerns caused by flooding.

Recovery projects begin with a local sponsor contacting NRCS after a natural disaster. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns, townships, and conservation districts. These sponsors work with NRCS to identify sites eligible for EWP assistance. Interested public and private landowners must work through the local sponsor to have their property considered. NRCS and the sponsor then provide assistance to private landowners and municipalities affected by the event. NRCS will reimburse the Sponsor 75 percent of construction funding for each project and provide engineering assistance. The sponsor is responsible for providing the other 25 percent of construction funds. 

Projects in the Davidson Township area included installing over 1,000 feet of streambank protection along eroded and unstable channel stream banks that posed an imminent threat to six adjacent residences. In addition, the projects provided 480 feet of protection to two township roads, as well as protection of three bridges. Each project included a significant amount of debris and deposition removal due to forces the flooding inflicted on the steep, first order, tributes that the projects reside.

One project in particular involved removing over 425 cubic yards of gravel bar and deposition material from the stream that runs alongside Fiarman Road and under a bridge. The deposition material carried downstream from the storm clogged the bridge box culvert and deposited feet of material in the yard, driveway, and up against the Rooker home. The home is about 40 feet up from the bridge, and less than 20 feet from the streambank. Over 430 feet of streambank protection was installed to protect eroded areas, the road, and the Rooker residence. According to Harold Rooker, “NRCS was helpful in clearing the debris and fixing the streambank after the storm.” He also noted that he would not have been able to afford any of the work done on his own, and that any additional storms could have greatly damaged the house.

Pennsylvania NRCS staff completed the planning, design, and construction inspection for the five projects, while the county hired an outside engineering firm to design a portion of the one project. Total costs for all projects totaled $512,000, with NRCS reimbursing the county for 75% of total construction costs and outside engineering fees. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Stream Improvement Program covered the remaining 25 percent of construction costs.

The Sullivan County EWP effort highlights how effective teamwork and prompt response can make a meaningful difference when communities are impacted by natural disasters. Through the coordinated efforts of NRCS, local sponsors, and state agencies, critical hazards to life and property were addressed efficiently and effectively. The projects not only restored stability to streambanks, roads, and bridges, but also brought peace of mind to affected residents like the Rooker family. By leveraging federal and state resources, the community was able to recover from the devastating flood with resilience and renewed hope.