Why Are Towns Calling State Of Emergency For Pope Visit?

By Justin Heinze:

In preparing for the Papal visit on September 26 and 27, many officials are telling residents and organizations to treat the weekend like a snow emergency.

Roads will closed. Travel will be difficult and possibly dangerous. Stock up on supplies ahead of time. Find and plan out alternative routes of transportation.

Many municipalities in the state have taken that another step further and declared a state of emergency for the Pope’s visit, including:

• Tredyffrin Township
• Radnor Township
• Clifton Heights
• Middletown Township

What does the State of Emergency mean? The National Guard will be on hand in town, for one. It has already been called into Montgomery and Delaware counties.

A state of emergency also makes it easier for a municipality to apply for federal assistance.

And it also affects the schools. Townships that have declared a state of emergency are either closing schools early or opening on a delay on the Friday and Monday before and after the Pope’s visit.

Schools in towns that have not declared a state of emergency may also have their schedules affected by the visit, and parents should check with school officials.

For more information on Pope Francis’ visit, please see Patch’s Complete Guide to the Papal Weekend.