Tag: West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

West Virginia Lowers Estimate of Homes Damaged in Floods

West Virginia officials had reduced the number of homes they believe were damaged in recent deadly floods.

State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokesman Timothy Rock told The Charleston Gazette-Mail on Friday that officials believe 2,500 homes were damaged by the floods. Initially, the state believed 4,000 homes were damaged.

 
They still say 1,500 homes have been destroyed. 

 
Rock says the estimates come from various sources, including National Guard officials helping with flood relief. 

 
The June 23 floods killed 23 people and ravaged homes, businesses and infrastructure several communities, spurring a federal disaster declaration for a dozen West Virginia counties.
 

Disaster Aid Office in Charleston Closing Next Week

The office that has been handling disaster assistance to 55 West Virginia counties affected by the 2015 spring and summer storms is closing.

The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says the Charleston field office will close Jan. 22. The state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have operated the office for 10 months. A joint field office typically closes when most of its work is completed.

Officials say FEMA has awarded about $78 million in assistance to the state, local governments and eligible nonprofit agencies since last year’s storms. Many of the projects involve reconstruction of public buildings, roads and bridges.

FEMA Grant Deadline Friday for Those in State Looking for Help

The clock is ticking for West Virginia localities seeking a federal assist during hard times.

The deadline is Friday to apply for so-called hazard mitigation grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

State officials say several funding opportunities are available for the current year. They include funding from the grant program to soften the economic blow of a disaster.

Flood mitigation assistance is also available.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says it will help communities prepare one or more basic applications.

Lawmakers Briefed on State of Emergency

At the legislature today, the senate voted to override the governor’s veto of the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.  The law to restrict abortion after 22 weeks goes into effect in 90 days.  An informal joint session of the legislature was held in the house chamber today as emergency management officials briefed lawmakers about the impact of this week’s storms.  And we’ll review just how historic this legislative session is on The Legislature Today.

State of Emergency Remains in Place Despite Expected Rising Temperatures and Lowered Water Levels

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said Friday the statewide State of Emergency remains in place after heavy snowfall and flooding across the state. "Although…

  Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said Friday the statewide State of Emergency remains in place after heavy snowfall and flooding across the state.  

“Although temperatures are expected to rise and water levels continue to decline, I encourage drivers to remain cautious while traveling,” Gov. Tomblin said in a news release. “I am extremely proud of our state’s response to this massive winter storm, and I’d like to thank all first responders, the West Virginia National Guard, local and state road crews, and all West Virginians who have worked hard to help combat this storm.”

Representatives from the Governor’s Office, the West Virginia National Guard and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management briefed members of the West Virginia Legislature Friday on the procedures and protocols for a State of Emergency, as well as an update on current weather conditions.

According to the National Weather Service, no additional major weather concerns are expected this weekend. As waters in most areas continue to fall, local and state officials will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days.

Although residents will experience colder temperatures in the mornings, temperatures are predicted to gradually warm up through the weekend. Snow and ice melt are expected to melt slowly, so West Virginians should continue to exercise caution and prepare for cold temperatures.

For updates on warming stations, shelters, power outages, road closures and weather conditions, continue to monitor the state’s official Facebook page for the response. 

W.Va. to Test National Alert System Next Week

West Virginia is gearing up to test a national alert system next week.Officials say the Federal Emergency Management Agency will lead a test of the…

West Virginia is gearing up to test a national alert system next week.

Officials say the Federal Emergency Management Agency will lead a test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System in West Virginia on Wednesday afternoon.

The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and others will participate in the test.

It is expected to last about two minutes and goes beyond traditional TV and radio emergency notifications to include alert messages to Facebook, Twitter, websites and digital signs.

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall says West Virginia is the only state to be chosen for this integrated test. The results will be used to inform a nationwide evaluation of the system next year.

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