WV and National Disaster News - October 7, 2024

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West Virginia

Disaster Centers Closing

• Roane County Disaster Recovery Center closed Oct. 5 (CNHI News) - FEMA mention: Survivors do not have to visit a disaster center to register with FEMA. They can call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week.
• Disaster Recovery Center in Roane County closing Saturday (Parkersburg News & Sentinel)

Energy

• A West Virginia community is counting on a 'miracle' to keep their power plant open. But questions remain about its new owner (Mountain State Spotlight) - The state is betting $50 million on Omnis Energy's promise of a 'revolutionary' new energy production technique. But the company, which has a history of unrepaid loans and lawsuits, hasn't publicly shown its technology actually works.

Firefighters Health Risk

• West Virginia fire departments combat cancer risks, but not all can afford life-saving changes (West Virginia Watch) - Cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death among firefighters. 

Hurricane Helene

• Extended Deadline for SNAP Benefit Replacements in West Virginia Following Hurricane Helene (WVNews)
• BEWARE OF SCAMS! West Virginia AG warns against charity and disaster scams in wake of Hurricane Helene (WTRF)

 
Smoke Alarm campaign

• Red Cross organizes free smoke alarm installation event in Monongalia County, West Virginia (The Morgantown News)

National News

Hurricane Helene

• Volunteer pilots transport thousands of pounds worth of supplies from Va. to Hurricane Helene victims (WTOP News)
• Harris pledges ongoing federal support as she visits North Carolina to survey Helene's aftermath (Associated Press)

Hurricane Milton – New Threat

• A state of emergency has been declared in Florida ahead of Milton (AccuWeather)

Disaster Relief & Misinformation

• US disaster relief chief blasts false claims about Helene response as a 'truly dangerous narrative' (Associated Press), related news: ABC's “This Week  also see USA Today -  Criswell noted that state and local officials have rebutted "this dangerous, truly dangerous narrative that is creating this fear."
• FEMA says funds for disaster relief, immigration come from '2 different pots of money' (Fox news) - The spokesperson explained that the disaster money for the Disaster Relief Fund comes from Congress, adding that no money has been used for anything else other than disaster relief operations.
• Helene aftermath: 500 more troops to be deployed to western NC, misinformation hinders recovery efforts (WRAL News) - Rumors include things about FEMA the Red Cross, and that the government controls the weather!  See below excerpt from this article.

How to find truthful information about Helene for North Carolinians 

The North Carolina Department of Public Services (NCDPS) said there are many false reports and misinformation being shared on social media about the response to Hurricane Helene.

The NCDPS said the public should get information about storm response and impacts from trusted sources like the State Emergency Response Team, National Weather Service and other federal, state, county and local government sites.

"Be aware that Artificial Intelligence or AI-generated images are being circulated on social media that do not depict conditions on the ground," the state department said.

The NCDPS said you can do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by following these three tips:

• Find trusted sources of information.
• Share information from truste​d sources.
• Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources and question where information is coming from.

Reliable information regarding Helene can be found at ncdps.gov/helene. A list of official county sources can also be found at ncdps.gov.

FEMA has also created a page to dispel rumors; click here for more information. To see the White House's statement, click here.​

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