Latest news with #ExpeditedMajorDisasterDeclaration
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
8 Kentucky counties denied FEMA assistance after floods
Video note: Despite this article's time stamp, the above video is the latest forecast from The Weather Authority. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Eight Kentucky counties affected by the flooding in February were denied FEMA assistance. On Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said Butler, Franklin, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, and Whitley counties were denied individual assistance. 8 Kentucky counties denied FEMA assistance after floods 1 killed in 2-vehicle crash on KY 509 in Nelson County Daviess County robbery suspect caught on camera Public assistance was also denied for infrastructure damage in Simpson and Woodford counties. FEMA said the denials were because the damages were not severe enough. The governor called the decision disappointing and said the state plans to appeal. 'While we are grateful to have gotten an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the February flooding, which has authorized at least some level of public assistance for local governments in 68 counties and individual assistance for Kentuckians in 16 counties, we are disappointed to receive this latest news,' Beshear said. 'We are actively comparing the damage assessments, and we plan to appeal this decision.' Study: Kentucky is the toughest state to own an EV in Study: It costs over $200K to raise a child over 18 years in Kentucky These Kentucky small towns make USA Today's '10 Best' He'll provide an update on Thursday about both the February and April flood responses. To learn more about FEMA's Public Assistance program, click here. For more about FEMA's Individual Assistance program, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Morrisey declares state of emergency in Mercer, McDowell due to flooding; Youngkin seeks federal declaration in Virginia
BLUEFIELD - Water rescue operations were continuing Sunday and a high wind warning was issued after flash flooding occurred across the two-state region Saturday as heavy rainfall caused rivers and streams to rise and overflow. Due to the widespread flooding, Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in 10 southern West Virginia counties, including Mercer and McDowell ordering personnel and resources to mobilize and respond to any emergency and delegated certain administrative powers to the Director of the West Virginia Emergency Management Division to facilitate the provision of essential emergency services. Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Monday that he submitted an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to President Donald J. Trump to support the ongoing response and recovery efforts of communities impacted by the recent February winter storms and now the weekend flooding. "It is heartbreaking to see our region once again devastated by flooding," Delegate James W. "Will" Morefield, R-Tazewell, said. "All state resources have been made available to help assist local EMS responders. We have been in constant contact with the governor, state agencies, and local officials. I want everyone to be assured that we will make every effort to help those impacted by the recent flooding just as we did for the flood victims in previous years. This will be a long and pain staking recovery but Southwest Virginia will prevail." A state of emergency also was declared by the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors for Tazewell County, Va. A flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service was still in effect Monday for parts of the region, including Mercer County. The Mercer County Office of Emergency Management reported that the Bluestone River had hit an historic high of 20 feet in the Spanishburg area of Mercer County. This was 2 feet above major flood stage. Water rescues were underway in the Lake Bottom and Matoaka areas. Mercer County first responders were being assisted by water rescue teams from Fayette County and Kanawha County. An emergency evacuation shelter had opened at the Lifeline Church of God at 250 Oakvale Road near Princeton, according to the church's Facebook page, Northbound traffic on Interstate 77 in Mercer County was halted when a sinkhole appeared at the 8.5 mile marker, according the Mercer County Office of Emergency Management. A vehicle crash was reported there at 9:44 a.m. and the right lane was still impacted. Between 1 to 2 inches of new rainfall has already fallen on grounds that were already soaked from snow melt and rain earlier in the week. Flash flooding has been reported across the region, including in parts of Mercer, Tazewell and McDowell counties. According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va., emergency management officials have reported extensive flash flooding across the region. Numerous roads are flooded due to rivers and creeks out of their banks, with some swift water rescues reportedly occurring. While heavy rain is exiting the area, rivers and creeks continued to rise into late Saturday night and Sunday morning, according to the flood warning. Rivers where flooding has been reported include the Bluestone River and the Clinch River. Adding to the region's weather woes is the possibility of another winter storm by Wednesday. Some snow also is expected Sunday evening. In Tazewell County, Va., an emergency shelter was opened at the Tazewell County Fairgrounds, according to the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office. People needing transportation to the emergency flood shelter can call the following non-emergency number (276) 988-0645. Call 911 only n the case of an emergency. In Richlands, Va. the Clinch River had risen and several roads were blocked. People with any non-emergency flood-related issues or concerns can call a hotline as a central point for information and to report issues. The number is 276-988-5366. In Buchanan County, Va., the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office was responding to several emergency calls due to the flooding. Areas affected by flooding included the Grundy, Vansant, Prater Davenport, Rocklick, Slate Creek, Oakwood and Hurley areas. Many of these areas are still inaccessible due to high water and road blockage. Swift water rescue teams were operating in the Rocklick, Slate Creek and Hurley areas. Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and area fire departments and EMS agencies were assisting in the search and rescue operations. More emergency resources from throughout the state were in route to Buchanan County, Va.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Youngkin is seeking another federal disaster declaration for Virginia
TAZEWELL, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is seeking a second federal disaster declaration for Southwest Virginia. The Republican governor said Monday he is asking President Donald Trump to approve an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration in response to the recent February winter storms and now the weekend flooding event that impacted parts of the state, including the Southwest Virginia region in particular. Youngkin said the weekend storm is the fifth significant flood to impact the state in five years. 'Over the past week, the Commonwealth has been hit extremely hard, particularly in areas that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene,' Youngkin. 'This is the fifth major flood in this area in the past five years and there is significant damage that is affecting community lifelines. It is critical that we provide relief, and we will certainly take every measure possible to ensure that these areas are able to make a full recovery as quickly as possible' Youngkin said there were 150 swift water rescues across the state during the weekend flood with more than 7 inches of rain falling in parts of Southwest Virginia. This resulted in significant infrastructure damage, over 203,000 customers losing electricity at the peak of the storm, more than 270 road closures including low water bridge and road washouts, and 9-1-1 center outages, according to the governor's office. The towns of Grundy and Hurley in Buchanan County experienced catastrophic flooding, with the river gauges in these towns reaching historical flood levels, according to Youngkin. Delegate James. W. 'Will' Morefield, R-Tazewell, said all available state resources would be utilized to assist with the latest flood recovery effort. 'It is heartbreaking to see our region once again devastated by flooding,' Morefield said. 'All state resources have been made available to help assist local EMS responders. We have been in constant contact with the governor, state agencies, and local officials. I want everyone to be assured that we will make every effort to help those impacted by the recent flooding just as we did for the flood victims in previous years.' Morefield said the recovery will be painful and will take time.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov. Youngkin requests 'Expedited Major Disaster Declaration' for winter storm relief
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Sunday that he submitted an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to President Trump to support the ongoing response and recovery efforts of communities impacted by the recent February winter storms. 'Over the past week, the Commonwealth has been hit extremely hard, particularly in areas that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene,' said Governor Glenn Youngkin.'This is the fifth major flood in this area in the past five years and there is significant damage that is affecting community lifelines. It is critical that we provide relief, and we will certainly take every measure possible to ensure that these areas are able to make a full recovery as quickly as possible. I want to thank our state and local agencies, and our federal, state and local elected officials for the incredible collaboration, and our first responders who have courageously made more than 150 swift water rescues and facilitated emergency operations that have saved lives throughout these storms.' As the winter storms and flooding moved in, over seven inches of rain fell in some areas of Southwest Virginia with significant life-threatening flash flooding across Virginia's most vulnerable and least resourced areas, the Governor's Office said in a release. The release also added that throughout the regions, over 150 swift water rescues, including evacuations, were made on Sunday. Support efforts continue as high water is blocking access to critical facilities, and access to the hardest hit areas is not yet available due to receding water and debris. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
