WV and National Disaster News - December 10, 2024

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West Virginia

Disaster Declaration

• ​Biden Administration declares federal disaster for Mercer County citizens hit by Helene  (MetroNews-Radio) 

• Enrollment in West Virginia drought relief program now open  (West Virginia Watch)

• West Virginia seeing low levels of flu activity this season  (WOWK-TV) 

• West Virginia First Foundation moves forward on addiction relief project covering 10 counties  (MetroNews-Radio)
• Initial Opportunity opioid settlement grants to be awarded by end of year  (The Parkersburg News & Sentinel)
• WV First Foundation commits $20M to Appalachian recovery project, though details scarce (News From The States) 

Transportation

• Changes Coming To W.Va. Turnpike Travel  (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio) 

• Winter returns Wednesday; Big temperature drop, rain to snow (WCHS-TV)
• First Alert Weather | Tracking mid-week snow (WSAZ-TV)
• More rain for Tuesday, and a quick pattern change overnight tonight (WTAP-TV)

 
National News

Disaster Funding

• Congress races toward fast-approaching government shutdown deadline (The Hill) – Biden's $100 billion Disaster Aid is part of the package. 

• Swannanoa residents struggle to find shelt​er after Helene washed away homes (WXII News 12)
• FEMA hotel vouchers extended until Jan. 11, but long-term challenges remain after Helene (Blueridge Now)

• Giant cyborg cockroaches could be the search and rescue workers of the future (AccuWeather) - Scientists hope to create an army of insect-machine search and rescue workers.

• Evacuations ordered as 1800-acre Franklin Fire threatens structures in Malibu (CNN)
• A wildfire in Malibu prompts evacuations as it burns near Pepperdine University (Associated Press), related news: AccuWeather
• Santa Ana brings travel problems, wildfire risk to Southern California (AccuWeather)

 
Weather

• 'Painfully cold' Arctic blast across Upper Midwest to trigger heavy lake-effect snow (AccuWeather)
• Strengthening storm to bring urban flood threat, high winds to the Northeast (AccuWeather)​ 

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