WV and National Disaster & Weather News - January 31, 2025

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West Virginia

Disaster Recovery

• Mercer County Residents have until Feb. 7 to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance (WV News)

Flood Watch

• Flood watch issued for parts of West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky on Friday (WCHS)
• Preston County Office of Emergency Management calls for caution as flood watch is issued (the Preston County News & Journal) 

• For Flood Alert details and locations, go to the National Weather Service: WV Weather Warnings & Watches

National News

FEMA

• What's the future of FEMA under Trump? (The Week)
  

• If Trump gets rid of FEMA, the future of disaster relief would be grim reports FEMA is currently managing the response and recovery for at least 192 disaster declarations. The article says Trump's moves to limit FEMA's scope has emergency management experts
  

• Beshear says dismantling FEMA would be 'disastrous' though improvements need to continue (Kentucky Lantern)
• Disaster responders say ending FEMA would move tasks and costs to states, local governments (Nebraska Examiner) – on former official said—the State 'would be in a world of hurt' if required to take over work done by feds.
  

• 'An incredible challenge:' As President Trump considers FEMA changes, Central Florida leaders weigh in (Click Orlando) -Rick Scott, who dealt with numerous hurricanes and natural disasters during his tenure as governor of Florida, told News 6 he's had very positive experiences with FEMA, but there is room for improvement. Scott said, “FEMA is a response organization to a governor. They contract out for help that the governor requests. I think there are ways that we can make it more efficient and ensure there's no fraud. But really, disasters are run by the governor and local government."
  

• FEMA asks some tenants to vacate trailers, which they've occupied since 2021 (KPLC News Louisiana)

Plane Crash

• The latest on the fatal midair plane and helicopter crash (NPR News)

• Storm with snow, ice and rain to reach Northeast by Friday (AccuWeather)
• Pineapple Express to soak western US with rain, snow (AccuWeather)

• Wildfires ravage North Carolina regions still reeling from Hurricane Helene (AccuWeather)

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