WV and National Disaster News - February 17, 2021

2/17/2021

West Virginia

· State of Emergency declared as counties struggle with mounting power outages (MetroNews-Radio)

o More than 90,000 still without power in W.Va. (WSAZ-TV)

o Tens Of Thousands Without Power After Latest Ice Storm (West Virginia Public Broadcasting-Radio)

o Thousands still without power in Putnam County (WSAZ-TV)

o Ice storm causes power outages (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)

o More than 2,000 without power in Northern Panhandle from overnight ice storm (The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register)

o Power restoration won’t be fast process (MetroNews-Radio)

· Cabell-Huntington Health Department COVID-19 vaccine clinics postponed (WCHS-TV)

· Fayette County COVID-19 vaccine clinic postponed (WVNS-TV)

· Meteorologists issue Winter Storm Watch as next weather system approaches (MetroNews-Radio)

· Another winter storm poised to strike the region (WCHS-TV)

· Why West Virginia’s Vaccine Rollout Puts New York and California to Shame (The New Republic)

· West Virginia to receive additional doses from vaccine program (WDVM-TV)

· Partnership works to vaccinate communities of color in W.Va. (The Journal)

· WV Daily COVID Updates and Stats for February 17, 2021 (WVDHHR)

NAtional

COVID-19 News

· Why COVID-19 Cases Are Falling So Fast (The Atlantic)

· COVID-19 cases are dropping like a rock (Yahoo News)

· Biden resets his own COVID goalposts at CNN town hall (Politico)

Vaccine News

· Crippling storm hampers vaccinations as FEMA opens new sites (ABC News)

· COVID vaccine shipments will be delayed because of weather, CDC says (NBC News)

· A next generation coronavirus vaccine is in the works. But initial funding was denied. (USA Today)

· Biden Administration Says It Has Increased Vaccine Supply (NPR)

· Harris stresses teachers must be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations (NBC News)

Vaccine Equity

· Partnership works to vaccinate communities of color in W.Va. (The Journal)

· Programming special addresses COVID-19 and communities of color (WDVM)

· Vaccine Registration System Opens in VA with Minor Setbacks, Major Language Accessibility Concerns (Richmond Times Dispatch)

· City legislators (Philly) demand Kenney work with them over COVID-19 vaccine distribution (Philadelphia Tribune)

· Black Doctors COVID Consortium holding 24-hour vaccination clinic in Philadelphia (ABC6)

· Vaccinating Homeless Patients Against COVID-19: 'All Bets Are Off' (NPR)

Weather

Brutal storms across the U.S. kill at least 28

NBC News reports the death toll continues to climb to at least 28 after a continuing series of winter storms batters the U.S. with arctic air, ice and snow, crippling the energy grid in places like Texas and Oklahoma. The Weather Channel reports Winter Storm Uri is being followed by Winter Storm Viola which is again bringing significant freezing rain to parts of central and eastern Texas. Winter storm warnings, winter storm watches and winter weather advisories have been issued from portions of Texas and Oklahoma into the mid-South, mid-Atlantic and Northeast through Friday.

CNN reports Biden talked with a group of governors affected by the severe winter weather this week and “reiterated to all the governors that his Administration is prepared to assist and stands ready to respond to requests for Federal assistance from the governors and will deploy any additional Federal emergency resources available to assist the residents of their states in getting through this historic storm.”

Gov. Stitt, President Biden speak about Oklahoma's energy situation, historic winter storm (KOCO-TV (OK)

AccuWeather Live reports millions remain in the dark in Texas and power companies warn the outages could last for ‘several more days.’ Louisiana power companies are also initiating rolling power outages to help protect the stability of the power grid and prevent prolonged outages.

Fox News reports Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered an investigation into the power grid failure in his state.

AccuWeather reports snow is forecast to fall along a 2,000-mile-long swath from northwestern and north-central Texas to northern Maine through Friday. Freezing rain and sleet will occur to the south and east of the snow zone, extending from central Texas to southeastern New York state.

The Washington Examiner reports the economic toll from the succession of winter storms will cost billions in property and agricultural damage.

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