WV and National Disaster News - January 9, 2023

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WEST VIRGINIA
 
COVID
WV Daily COVID Update & Stats for January 9, 2023 (WV DHHR) - There have been nine deaths reported since the 1/6/2023 report, with a total of 7,730 deaths attributed to COVID-19. There are currently 1,351 active COVID-19 cases statewide. For detailed stats, see link.

• COVID-19 makes rapid comeback as flu seems to begin decline  (The Exponent Telegram)

Chemical Spill

• Kanawha County Commission meets with trucking company responsible for chemical spill  (WCHS-TV)

• Stemming The EMT Mental Health Crisis with Communication  (WV Public Broadcasting-Radio)
• Southern W.Va. Health Leaders Announce Collaboration to Enhance Region's Health Care Services  (WV Public Broadcasting-Radio)

 Water Crisis in Raleigh County

• Local leaders in Raleigh County give update on water crisis and school situation  (WVVA-TV)
• Still, no water. Frustrations boiling over.  (Yahoo News)

Weather & Disaster Recovery

• Snow, ice and rain to create travel headaches in Midwest and Northeast (AccuWeather)
• West Virginia Lawmakers Question Denial of FEMA Flood Aid (The Intelligencer), related news: The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
• Tested: How West Virginia incurred and paid heavy COVID test costs amid price gouging, procurement challenges  (The Charleston Gazette-Mail)

NATIONAL NEWS
 
COVID

• New variant XBB.1.5 now more than a quarter of U.S. cases (WTOP)
• The RSV surge has peaked, and the flu is receding — but COVID rates are up again (NPR)
• With public health on the line, here's how local health departments are fighting misinformation (CNN)
• As flu tapers off, Covid-19 again shows signs of a winter spike (CNN)

 
Weather & Disaster Recovery

• Newsom asks Biden for emergency declaration after extreme storms batter California (Politico), related news: Fox News 
• Dangers to life, property remain high in California as storm onslaught continues (AccuWeather)  
• California Flooding Threat Worsens As Major Storm Arrives Monday (The Weather Channel), related news: AP 
• Lost in translation: FEMA sent 'unintelligible' disaster relief application information to Alaska Natives impacted by Typhoon Merbok (KYUK Public Media (AK)

 
OTHER

• FEMA Report Spotlights Emergency Management Challenges (Facilities Net)
• Preparedness Concerns Weigh on Communities in FEMA Report Outlining Escalating Range of Disasters (Homeland security Today)
• Congressional Research Service: 'Options for Making National Flood Insurance Program More Affordable' (Part 1 of 3); (Part 2 of 3) and (Part 3 of 3) (Insurance News Net)

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