WV and National Disaster News - August 31, 2021

​ReadyWV website contains references and/or hyperlinks to other websites (News Media & Other Sites) that are not operated by or controlled by ReadyWV. These have been included for information purposes only and do not imply affiliation with or endorsement by ReadyWV. ReadyWV gives no guarantees and accepts no liability for the content, use and availability of these third-party websites.​​

Government

WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for August 31, 2021 - DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 78-year old male from Fayette County, a 64-year old female from Upshur County, a 94-year old male from Putnam County, a 65-year old male from Randolph County, an 87-year old male from Preston County, a 66-year old male from Berkeley County, an 80-year old female from Logan County, a 57-year old male from Logan County, a 67-year old male from Logan County, and an 84-year old male from Pocahontas County.

“COVID-19 continues to be a threat to West Virginia," said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “We must continue to support those grieving losses and renew our dedication to safety and prevention measures by being vaccinated against this terrible disease."

Local

• West Virginia ICU Patients Approaching Pandemic High (CBS Pittsburgh) - Officials says 82% of current virus hospitalizations and 74% of the statewide deaths over the past two months involved unvaccinated people

• COVID-19 numbers spike again over the weekend in West Virginia (WOWK)

• COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces new vaccination incentive program for West Virginia Grandfamilies (Office of the Governor, Jim Justice)

• Emergency responder teams prepare for heavy rains from Ida (WCHS)

• West Virginia launches flood tool to help assess flood risk (WDTV)

NATIONAL NEWS

• COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in preventing hospitalization drops among oldest Americans, but still over 80%, CDC analysis finds (CBS News)

• South African researchers keep wary eye on yet another new coronavirus variant (CNN)

WEATHER

• In Wake of Hurricane Ida, Emergency Officials Urge Pennsylvania Homeowners To Get Flood Insurance (CBS Pittsburgh)

• First Alert Weather Day: Ida brings a tornado threat to Central Virginia (NBC12)

• California fire approaches Lake Tahoe after mass evacuation (Associated Press)

• FEMA and Gov. Edwards to tour IDA Damage, Power Outages and Other IDA News  (The Weather Channel)

• Louisiana is grappling with oxygen shortages in Ida's aftermath (The NY Times)

• Hurricane Ida's leftover rain is heading for Va.; places north and west of Richmond stand to see the biggest soaking (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

• National Flood Insurance Program: Changes to Biggert-Waters (Federal Register)

OTHER

• Biden Taps FEMA Official to Lead Afghan Resettlement Efforts as Agency Deploys Thousands in Ida Response (Government Executive)