PEMA will stay at an enhanced watch this evening as another round of severe storms moves across Pennsylvania. Our teams at PEMA and PUC remain in close contact with PPL and PECO as crews work to restore power following last night’s storms — and are prepared to respond as additional outages may happen this evening. Please stay safe, continue to follow the direction of your local officials, and check @PEMAHQ for important updates.

Sunday, July 5, 2026 ⸻ Torrential downpours could cause flash flooding this evening. Keep on top of changing weather conditions. Have at least two reliable ways to get alerts. 🤳 Charge up devices now, if you can. 📲 Think about what you'd need if you had to leave quickly, and have it ready. 🎒 Gas up your vehicle. ⛽ Remember: Pumps don't work if the power is out. Never walk, swim, or drive into standing water. Turn around, don't drown. ⚠️ Remember that flooding can be impossible to see at night. Use extra caution if you must travel in the dark. 👀

Our teams at PEMA and PUC are in close touch with PPL and PECO, supporting efforts to restore power as quickly as possible following severe storms that impacted central and southeast Pennsylvania last night. As strong storms are expected to move through Pennsylvania again this evening, please follow the direction of your local officials and check @PEMAHQ for important updates.

C-SPAN spoke with Pennsylvania @GovernorShapiro (D) about how the "birthplace of American democracy" is celebrating the country's 250th anniversary.

Happy Fourth, Pennsylvania! 🇺🇲🎆🗽

This Independence Day, let's come together to stand with the brave men and women in uniform who protect our freedoms abroad — and those who run towards danger each and every day to keep us safe here at home. On behalf of 13 million Pennsylvanians: Thank you to every service member, law enforcement officer, and first responder for your service and sacrifice to our Commonwealth and country.

On this day in 1776, right here in Philadelphia, we declared our independence from a King — and a new nation was born. May we never take for granted the fundamental right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that were spoken aloud on this day 250 years ago. And let us recommit to the sacred responsibility we hold as Americans to preserve, protect, and defend those very values.

250 years ago today — in this very same room — a band of patriots declared independence from a tyrant king and set ourselves on a path of self-determination. Their work isn’t finished — and in the face of chaos, cruelty, and corruption, the responsibility to protect our fundamental freedoms and stand up to tyranny now falls to each of us. Happy Independence Day, Pennsylvania. 🇺🇲

I was incredibly humbled today to speak at the National Constitution Center where Pope Leo XIV was awarded the Liberty Medal. Religious liberty has been a foundational value for our Commonwealth and country since the very beginning — and I’m grateful for the Pope’s leadership in advancing the cause of freedom for all people.

Our founding fathers may have been a little surprised to see this image — but today, I welcomed the British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Christian Turner, to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for a bilateral meeting to discuss how we can protect our shared values and strengthen our economic ties. The United Kingdom is one of our Commonwealth’s largest trading partners, and British companies have invested heavily in our Commonwealth, with over 1,100 British businesses supporting more than 75,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Tomorrow, we celebrate 250 years of our independence — but today is a testament to our shared values and the partnership we’ve built with our nation’s closest ally in the centuries since.

MUST WATCH: @GovernorShapiro shares how his faith inspires public service, honors Pope Leo XIV for protecting religious liberty across the world.

NEW: Pennsylvania’s three FREE FIFA Fan Zones are open TODAY. You don’t need to be at a match to get in on the World Cup excitement. Today, and on select dates throughout the rest of the tournament, you can join your neighbors and watch the games at the following locations: 📍Reading: Santander Arena 📍Scranton: Lackawanna County Courthouse Square 📍Pittsburgh: Acrisure Stadium And… our FREE FIFA Fan Fest remains open in Philly every day until the end of the tournament. Get out there!

When William Penn arrived on the banks of the Delaware River in 1682, he set out to create a place that would be defined by individual freedoms — including the freedom to worship as you wish. That place he founded would become the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Today, I was proud to honor Pope Leo XIV — the first American Pope — as he received the Liberty Medal for his work to protect and spread that same religious freedom all across the globe, one day before our nation’s 250th birthday.

As Pennsylvanians enjoy the parades, picnics, and fireworks happening this weekend to celebrate our 250th anniversary, we’re grateful for our police officers, firefighters, and first responders who are spending time away from their own families to keep us safe. To all of the men and women protecting our communities this Independence Day weekend: Thank you. We’ve got your backs.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence from tyranny. At this crucial moment in our nation’s story, we can take inspiration from ordinary Americans like Margaret Cochran Corbin, who fought to advance the cause of freedom. Take a few minutes today to hear her story:

In 1776, our founding fathers gathered in the old Pennsylvania State House — what we now know as Independence Hall — to declare their independence from a King. A decade later, their independence won, they returned to the same room to establish the guardrails for our new nation — the very foundation that members of Congress build upon as they debate and vote on new laws today. Today, we welcomed a bipartisan, ceremonial session of Congress back to Congress Hall in Philadelphia to take inspiration from the example our founding fathers set — to debate our differences, but to always remember that we are united as Americans.

WATCH: @GovernorShapiro delivers a message to Members of Congress live from Independence Hall: "It is my hope that this body — that the Congress of the United States — takes inspiration from the example set by our founders: to debate in earnest, to work through our differences, and to always remember that we are united as Americans."

Welcome home, U.S. Brig Niagara. 🇺🇲

Pennsylvania is experiencing a major heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees — and those extreme temperatures are expected to continue into the holiday weekend.   If you’re going to be outside this July 4th weekend, stay hydrated, take breaks inside if you can, and check on your more vulnerable neighbors.   Continue to follow @PEMAHQ for updates on heat advisories in your area.

Proud to partner with @FWC26Philly and @visitPA to give out 700 free @FIFAWorldCup tickets to 19 community organizations across PA.   I loved seeing these photos of some of our Allentown recipients at the Brazil vs Haiti match in Philly. This is what it’s all about.