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Success Story

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program Disaster Recovery – After the Storm

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Learn how NRCS and local partners used Emergency Watershed Protection to restore streambanks and protect homes.

 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program partners with local, eligible sponsors to help communities recover from a natural disaster and help mitigate future threats of flooding.

On August 9, 2024, Hurricane Debby came in fast and fierce when it made landfall and weakened to a tropical storm by the time it hit Pennsylvania. Record rainfall turned small creeks into raging torrents—rolling boulders, uprooting trees, and destroying property and bridges. In a landscape defined by steep terrain, water runoff had nowhere to go except downhill, leading to dangerous and sudden rises in water levels in valley streams and rivers. The force of the flash flood destroyed streambanks, rendering homes and businesses within fifty feet of a river vulnerable to future flooding. For context, the National Weather Service states that six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock an adult off their feet and 2 feet will float an SUV. 

Severe streambank erosion, cutting into bank, under part of a house
"Every time it rained after the flood, I thought we were going to lose the house"

EWP Tropical Storm Debby PA Project Timeline – How NRCS Moves from Emergency to Recovery

Within days, NRCS PA sent out a press release which included an EWP damage survey to potential sponsors, local government agencies and residences throughout north-central Pennsylvania, to assess the damage to homes and property. Ten local government agencies, including the Tioga County Conservation District (TCCD), stepped forward to sponsor 80 sites located in 10 counties that were eligible for EWP assistance. Fifteen project sites reside in Tioga County. 

Today, with an NRCS EWP investment of $1.1 million, NRCS in partnership with TCCD has stabilized over 2,400 linear feet of bordering streambanks to protect at risk homes and property from future flooding. All but one of the project sites in Tioga County have been completed by the end of 2025.

“EWP is a flexible program that allows NRCS to work through sponsors, to help impacted landowners in an efficient and effective way,” said Mark Buckwalter, NRCS Pennsylvania EWP Program Manager.

EWP provides disaster recovery financial assistance, technical help, and project implementation for flood prevention, debris removal, streambank stabilization, and land restoration following a natural disaster. NRCS Watershed Programs supports communities to reduce risk and ensure readiness for the next storm. To learn more about EWP disaster recovery and flood mitigation for your community, contact your local NRCS Watershed Program Manager. 

Short rocky shore streambank next to Potter house, streambank is cut, tree roots exposed
EWP streambank restoration work 
Potter home with restored streambank, large using stone blocks, three row wooden fence at the top
After the storm

Discover how NRCS works side‑by‑side with communities during their toughest moments. Watch "After the Storm" for an inside look at our role in disaster recovery.

EWP Project: Tropical Storm Debby - Statewide Statistics

  • NRCS EWP Investment - $5.4 million
  • 18 EWP Damage Survey Reports 
  • 80 Individual Project Sites
  • 10 Counties
  • 10 Sponsors

Benefits – $18 million

  • 96 properties – homes/businesses - protected
  • 3 public utility locations protected