Butler County saw a single-digit increase in COVID-19 cases on the same day Gov. Tom Wolf's administration warned that severe weather preparations this summer could be affected by the pandemic.

According to Tuesday's state Department of Health report, Butler County saw five cases added to its total of COVID-19 cases. The number of deaths in the county remains at 12.

Also Tuesday, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Executive Deputy Director Jeff Thomas said during a news conference that Pennsylvanians should be aware of the need for additional precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thomas said the state is estimated to see between 13 and 19 major storms throughout the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season, which started June 1 and runs through November.

Thomas said the state doesn't typically see direct hurricane strikes, but destruction and lost lives are not limited only to storms that are deemed hurricanes. He said many of the state's problems with inland flooding arise during these storms.

“It only takes one to cause significant issues for us in Pennsylvania,” Thomas said. “The names of Agnes, Irene and Lee spark immediate and many painful memories for those of us who have lived through those storms.”

Ray Barishansky, Department of Health deputy secretary for health preparedness and community protection, elaborated further on COVID-19-related preparedness for the severe weather season.

Barishansky said people can help themselves by staying aware of when and where they should take shelter in case of emergency, and stay up-to-date with weather alerts. He said emergency kits should be prepared and include COVID-19 protection items.

A standard emergency kit should have three days' worth of food and water, necessary medications and a first-aid kit among other items.

“They should be stocked with essential items,” Barishansky said. “It is recommended that emergency kits be updated with COVID-19 protective supplies such as masks, hand sanitizer and, potentially, medication.”

Barishansky said community emergency shelters will also have some COVID-19 precautions.

“We would ask those areas to make sure that people are masked as they come in,” he said. “We would probably be looking at temperature scans as well.”

Thomas said the best way for residents to protect themselves financially is through flood insurance, which gives more expansive coverage than standard homeowner insurance. He said it is also a myth that people can only buy flood insurance if their home is in a federally designated flood plain.

“Flood insurance is available to homeowners and renters no matter where you live,” Thomas said.

The following numbers on the coronavirus pandemic were compiled from the regular news releases from the state Department of Health.Tuesday’s COVID-19 statistics:Butler CountyConfirmed cases: 249Negative tests: 4,288Deaths: 12PennsylvaniaNew cases: 493Total cases: 76,436New deaths: 61Total deaths: 6,014Negative tests: 459,248Recovered: 71 percentSurrounding CountiesAllegheny: 2,027 confirmed cases; 36,147 negative; and 169 deathsArmstrong: 65 confirmed; 1,441 negative; and 5 deathsBeaver: 608 confirmed; 4,368 negative; and 74 deathsClarion: 29 confirmed; 751 negative; and 2 deathsLawrence: 85 confirmed; 1,722 negative; and 8 deathsMercer: 113 confirmed; 2,027 negative; and 6 deathsVenango: 16 confirmed and 691 negativeWestmoreland: 467 confirmed; 11,704 negative; and 38 deaths