WV and National Disaster & Weather News - April 1, 2025

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West Virginia

Disaster Relief Fraud

• South Carolina Construction Company to Pay $191K for Substandard Work on West Virginia Flood Recovery Homes (WVNews) - Thompson Construction Group Inc., a South Carolina-based contractor, has agreed to pay $191,070 to the federal government after a civil investigation found the company submitted false claims for payment related to disaster recovery efforts in West Virginia. Also see WCHS.

Flood Recovery

• FEMA explains which grant is best for eligible situations (WVVA Midday) - “People apply for a FEMA grant from the recent flood, listen up, you might be applying for the wrong one. In a press release from FEMA, they say there are two grants, individual and public assistance."
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program deadline approaching (WSAZ) - The Hazard Mitigation Program (HMPG) could assist flood impacted residents in exploring options to reduce future damages and losses from disasters. Zane Parsley, the Huntington Project Manager, emphasized, “We strongly encourage residents, especially those at risk, to apply for assistance." Parsley said residents can apply for property acquisition and demolition, elevation, relocation, and mitigation reconstruction. “It's all voluntary; we're not forcing anybody out of their homes. They would apply for an acquisition to FEMA. It's a cost-share program with either the city or the state," Parsley said.

 
Weather

• New flood watches posted ahead of more heavy rain and storms (WOWK)
• West Virginia Weather Alert: Flood Watch Begins Wednesday Night Through Sunday Morning (Country Herald) 

National News

FEMA

• Trump wants to wind down FEMA. Could states fill the gap? (GRIST)
• Experts raise alarms about eliminating FEMA (The Hill), related news: E&E News   

Weather

• Days of downpours may escalate to historic, life-threatening flooding in central US (AccuWeather)
• April Begins with Widespread Bout of Severe Storms, Tornado Threat In Plains, Midwest, South (The Weather Channel)
• Dangerous line of storms targets nearly entire Eastern Seaboard after killing at least 7 in central US (AccuWeather)
• Central US braces for another round of high-risk severe weather (AccuWeather)
• Rare March ice storm coats northern US, southern Canada (AccuWeather)​