WV and National Disaster News & Weather - January 5, 2026

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West Virginia

FEMA

• ​FEMA staff cuts raise concerns for Ohio Valley disaster response (WTOV News 9) - At the start of 2026, the Department of Homeland Security announced a reduction in FEMA disaster response staff, raising concerns about the impact on disaster management in the Ohio Valley. Last Wednesday, 50 contracted employees from FEMA's Cadre of On-Call Response and Recovery (CORE) received termination notices, effective Jan. 2. This reduction affects a small portion of the 8,000-strong workforce, but it has sparked worries at the state and county emergency management levels.

National News

FEMA

• Dozens of FEMA disaster responders lose jobs after New Year's Eve email (CBS News), related news: WCCB News 18 
• FEMA Awards $250M to Stop Drone Pitch Invaders at World Cup (Flying Magazine) - The eleven U.S. states scheduled to host matches during the FIFA World Cup this summer may be the first to exercise newly granted authority to jam, intercept, and take down uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), or drones.

• 'The Perfect Storm': Trump has left the US less prepared for natural disasters, experts say (The Guardian) article reports deep budget cuts and massive firing sprees shrank emergency response agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the agency tasked with coordinating national disaster responses, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), considered a global crown jewel for climate science. The worst effects, experts say, may not reveal themselves until catastrophe strikes. But in a year marked by three category 5 hurricanes, record summer humidity and heat, and deadly fires and floods, the cracks have already begun to show.

Disaster Recovery

• With FEMA housing deadline for Lahaina fire survivors 39 days away, state officials hope for an extension (Maui Now)

Public Health

• More than 2,000 measles cases reported in the US in 2025 as ongoing outbreaks threaten elimination status (AccuWeather) - Data shows a higher annual total than the country has seen in decades.

• Series of storms to bring slippery travel to Great Lakes, Northeast in early January (AccuWeather)
• After a frigid December, a warmup awaits the Midwest and Northeast (AccuWeather)
• Storminess to continue in California, West into another week, but a pattern change is in sight (AccuWeather) 

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