WV and National Disaster News - February 17, 2023

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WEST VIRGINIA
 
COVID & Public Health
WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for February 17, 2023 (WV DHHR) - There has been one death reported since yesterday's report, with a total of 7,926 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
 
OPINION: West Virginia is a national leader in childhood immunizations – let's stay protected  (Times West Virginian)
 
Train Derailment

• West Virginia's Heavy Rain Is a Blessing and Curse After Ohio Derailment (Newsweek)
• West Virginia drinking water still clear of derailment toxin  (The Associated Press)
• W.Va. Governor: Public Not In Danger From Train Chemicals  (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)
• Gov. Justice says West Virginia is prepared for any problems from Ohio train derailment  (WOWK-TV)
• EPA chief at train derailment site: 'Trust the government'  (WCHS-TV)
• Town residents given all clear to use water again  (WSAZ-TV)

Weather & Flooding

• Justice Declares State Of Emergency For W.Va.  (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)
• Kanawha County, West Virginia, under State of Emergency for flooding, heavy rain  (WOWK-TV)
• County emergency officials dealing with many flooding situations  (WCHS-Radio)
• Historic rain, flooding to give way to snow squalls/flash freeze  (WCHS-TV)
• Flooding concerns increase for Kanawha Valley following historic rainfall  (WCHS-TV)
• Lincoln County students spend the night in school thanks to high water  (MetroNews-Radio)
• High-water rescue reported in Kanawha County  (WSAZ-TV)
• Mudslide closes Route 3 in Lincoln County, West Virginia  (WOWK-TV)
• River flooding expected from southern rain  (MetroNews-Radio)

 
OTHER

• Crews advised to close railroad after water found in railroad bed in Kanawha County, West Virginia  (WOWK-TV)

NATIONAL NEWS
 
COVID & NOROVIRUS

• Norovirus Is on the Rise. What to Know About Symptoms and Treatment (Time)
• Covid-19 infection offers strong protection against reinfection for about 10 months, study finds (CNN)
• People living with long COVID explain how the disease changed their lives (PBS)

 
Train Derailment in Ohio

• Ohio town reflects on chemical train derailment aftermath (BBC)
• EPA says Ohio derailment site is safe, as locals report rashes, worries (The Washington Post) related news: USA Today,  Fox News  
• DeWine asking for, getting federal help for East Palestine (Tribune Chronicle – Ohio)
• Ohio Gov: No FEMA Assistance for East Palestine Residents in Wake of Toxic Train Derailment (NTD TV)

 
Weather

• Severe Weather Damages Homes, Businesses In South (The Weather Channel)
• Snow causes travel disruptions in Midwest as thunderstorms bring flood risk to South (AccuWeather)
• Some levees in Sacramento County will cost m​illions to fix after storms. Why hasn't FEMA helped? (KRCA News 3 – California)​