WV and National Disaster News - October 17, 2024

West Virginia
 
Emergency Prep Drill

• ​Mon Health (West Virginia) runs High-Tech drills for emergency preparedness (The Morgantown News)

• FEMA goes 'door to door' in Bluefield (WVNS)
• Demolitions continuing across Mercer County after storm (CNHI News)

Road Safety

• West Virginia Ranks #1 for Animal Collisions: How to Stay Safe on the Road (WV News)

​ 

National News

Disaster Misinformation

• Don't listen to rumors. Come in and talk, urges FEMA director of disaster recovery (WSUF – Florida NPR)
• Tennessee Sheriff Says Witnesses Saw Armed Group Harassing FEMA Workers (Newsweek)  - ​​Former President Donald Trump and others have also fueled false claims that FEMA has not been able to respond well enough because it diverted disaster relief funds to help migrants. That claim is not true​. While FEMA administers the Shelter and Services Program, money for that program comes from separate funds approved by Congress for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Disaster Relief

• Biden approves disaster relief for Juneau flooding (Alaska's News Source)
• FEMA changes in Senate bill filed before Helene, Milton (WFMZ News 69) - the bi-partisan Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2024 was introduced Sept. 17, before devastating Hurricane Helene three weeks ago. The acti provides greater flexibility for communities in need, saves taxpayer dollars and helps communities recover faster. The legislation would reform the FEMA disaster assistance process and improve how the agency helps individuals

Storm Damage

• Tornado damages over 300 homes in Palm Beach Gardens, FEMA estimates $45 million in losses (WPEC News 12)
• Floridians return home to clean up from two hurricanes, with gas and power in short supply (AccuWeather)

Weather

• November-like chill in Northeast to be erased by warm weekend (AccuWeather)
• Winter forecast for the US in the 2024-25 season (AccuWeather)
• The summer that never ended: Phoenix gets a break after 3 weeks of record highs (AccuWeather)
• Florida gains "protection" from tropical trouble in the Caribbean but at a cost (AccuWeather) ​