WV and National Disaster News - December 9, 2022

WEST VIRGINIA
 
COVID
WV COVID Update & Stats for December 9, 2022 (WVD HHR) - There have been two deaths reported since yesterday's report, with a total of 7,638 deaths attributed to COVID-19. There are currently 978 active COVID-19 cases statewide. For detailed stats, see link.
 
Infrastructure

• Steel company opening $450M 'micro mill' in W.Va. in 2025  (The Associated Press), related news: The Journal

Health Services

• Thomas Memorial Hospital celebrate addition of new helipad  (WCHS-TV)
• Health Centers Receive Millions To Bolster Services  (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)

School Safety

• Department of Homeland Security Updates School Swatting Incidents  (WV Public Broadcasting-Radio)
• Smithers mayor updates citizens on city activities (The Fayette Tribune)

Weather & Flood Recovery

• Winter predictions released for West Virginia: La Nina strikes again  (WTRF-TV)
• Kanawha County Commission discusses improvements needed at Big Bend  (WCHS-Radio)

Other

• Bridgeport (West Virginia) City Council to consider city employee pay raise, Emergency Operations Plan update  (The Exponent Telegram)

NATIONAL NEWS
 
COVID, FLU, RSV

• 'Tripledemic' leading to long wait times at emergency rooms (ABC)
• FDA clears updated COVID-19 vaccines for kids under age 5 (WTOP)
• New COVID booster authorization will sway parents to get young kids vaccinated, FDA vaccine chief hopes (ABC)
• No, bivalent booster side effects are not different from previous COVID shots (WUSA)
• House passes defense bill scrapping COVID vaccine mandate (WTOP)
• Implications of commercializing COVID-19 vaccines, treatments (Yahoo News)

 
WEATHER

• Significant Storm This Weekend Into Next Week To Produce Heavy Snow, Severe Weather (The Weather Channel)  
• Monstrous storm could bring tornadoes, blizzard conditions to central US next week (AccuWeather)
• Citizens Property Insurance: 78% of Hurricane Ian claims closed (WTSP News 10 - Florida)
• SBA extends deadline for Hurricane Ian loans (WGCU)
• Balderas asks Homeland Security secretary to help wildfire victims (Santa Fe New Mexican (NM) 
• 'Strong storm': North Bay residents clear storm drains, firefighters urge preparedness (KGO News 7 California)
• Mauna Loa lava no longer imminent threat to Hawaii highway (ABC News)​