WV and National Disaster News - October 21, 2024

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West Virginia
Storm Recovery

• Two weeks left to apply for FEMA assistance (CNHI News) - “Homeowners and renters in Boone, Hancock, Kanawha, Marshall, Ohio, Roane, Wetzel, and Wood counties who were affected by the April 11-12 severe storms have two weeks left to apply for assistance."
• Deadline approaching to apply for FEMA assistance in Wood County (WTAP) - “Homeowners and renters in Wood County […] who were affected by the April 2024 severe storms have two weeks left to apply for assistance."

House Fire

• Firefighter injured battling Poca house fire (WOWK TV)

Infrastructure

• Mon Power, Potomac Edison Receive Federal Funds for Grid (WV Public)

Volunteers NEEDED!

• American Red Cross calling for volunteers and donors in wake of hurricane devastation (WTRF)

Weather

• Winter Weather Outlook across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania (WTRF)
• Dry and mild to start this week, slight cool down for the second half of the week (WVVA)

National News

Disaster Recovery

• FEMA closes Ruidoso disaster center (Albuquerque Journal)
• 'Our turn to ask for help': 6 months after tornado, Portage still hopes for FEMA aid (Michigan Live)

Flooding

• New Mexico: 2 dead, 309 people rescued after severe flooding in and near Roswell (Associated Press), related news:  AccuWeather

Hurricane Recovery

• The economic impact of Helene and Milton — and who pays for it (Salon)
• FEMA feels the heat in North Carolina. But the agency says what they do is misunderstood (The Post and Courier)
• FEMA worker harassed in Florida after Hurricane Milton (Central Florida Public Media)
• Hurricane Helene Impacts in North Carolina (CBS News – “60 Minutes overtime") – hear from county emergency management about damaged roads, transportation difficulties and misinformation that is misleading and hurting survivors.  The FEMA $750 check is just an initial resource to help meet immediate needs. Local, state and federal officials are all working together to help survivors. 
• Transformed FEMA faces a torrent of challenges to its growing relief efforts (Christian Science Monitor) – the article notes FEMA has come a long way since Hurricane Katrina's botched efforts. Says recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Helene point to successful reforms that lean on local first responders, volunteers, and neighbors while providing key financial support for lifesaving and longer-term efforts. It also notes current recovery efforts show how the agency has become a perennial piñata for budget hawks and a culture war battleground – complicating America's already polarized views of what government in action means.

Weather

• Some leaning into mild winter, but here's why the outlook is 'especially difficult this year' (Lehigh Valley News)
• Oscar leaves Cuba as tropical storm (AccuWeather)
• Clash of seasons: Warmth and thunderstorms in the Plains, snow in the mountains (AccuWeather)

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