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April 17, 2026 - Scranton, PA

Shapiro Administration Highlights Disaster Recovery Grant Program in 2026-27 Budget Proposal to Help Pennsylvanians Rebuild after Disasters

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) traveled to Northeastern Pennsylvania to highlight the Shapiro Administration's commitment to assisting individuals and families impacted by disasters and other emergencies with recovery needs through the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).

Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2026-27 Budget Proposal pushes to keep the program going with another $5 million investment. The DRAP has been funded in the previous three years' budgets, and unused funds rollover to provide a robust fund for future disaster needs.

"Investing in disaster recovery is essential to successful long-term disaster recovery for disaster survivors, helping Pennsylvanians build resilience for the next disaster," said Larry West, PEMA Deputy Director for Recovery. "The Disaster Recovery Assistance Program helps to fill gaps in recovery funding for impacted families that would otherwise have no access to recovery funding."

Speakers Include:
PEMA Deputy for Recovery Larry West
Mayor, City of Scranton Paige Cognetti
State Representative Kyle Donahue



SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_001.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_002.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_003.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_004.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_005.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_006.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_007.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_008.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West, left, and state Rep. Kyle Donahue interact during an event highlighting the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_009.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_010.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_011.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_012.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_013.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_014.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_015.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Officials highlight the Shapiro Administrations Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and proposed continued funding in the 202627 budget to support Pennsylvanians recovering from disasters, during an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_016.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West speaks about the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) during an event highlighting disaster recovery funding.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_017.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti speaks about local recovery efforts following 2023 flooding and the impact of the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_018.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti speaks about local recovery efforts following 2023 flooding and the impact of the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_019.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti speaks about local recovery efforts following 2023 flooding and the impact of the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_020.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti speaks about local recovery efforts following 2023 flooding and the impact of the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_021.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti speaks about local recovery efforts following 2023 flooding and the impact of the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_022.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti speaks about local recovery efforts following 2023 flooding and the impact of the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_023.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti speaks about local recovery efforts following 2023 flooding and the impact of the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_024.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  State Rep. Kyle Donahue speaks about the importance of disaster recovery funding during an event highlighting the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_025.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  State Rep. Kyle Donahue speaks about the importance of disaster recovery funding during an event highlighting the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_026.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  State Rep. Kyle Donahue speaks about the importance of disaster recovery funding during an event highlighting the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_027.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  State Rep. Kyle Donahue speaks about the importance of disaster recovery funding during an event highlighting the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_028.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  State Rep. Kyle Donahue speaks about the importance of disaster recovery funding during an event highlighting the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_029.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> SCRANTON, Pa., April 17, 2026  From left, state Rep. Kyle Donahue, Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director for Recovery Larry West pose for a photo during an event highlighting the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/29200_pema_disasterRecovery_KR_030.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>