Recovery

Environmental researchers are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to uphold California's wildfire recovery protocol to conduct soil sampling to ensure burned-down homes do not contain unhealthy levels of toxic substances.

The Trump administration has indicated states should play a bigger role in disaster recovery. As hurricane season approaches, Mississippi communities consider how they would recover without assistance from FEMA.

Federal aid meant to help protect Florida communities from natural disasters has been frozen since January. A large portion of funds would have come from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.

In response to widespread flooding last month, FEMA has approved Individual Assistance funding for residents in six West Virginia counties. Some victims may also now be eligible for food assistance from the USDA.

SB 2069 would establish a position on the state's Disaster Preparedness Commission to assist New Yorkers in navigating the insurance process after an emergency event. Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the same bill last year.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced plans to hire for 26 roles like disaster field training operations, hazard mitigation and IT, among others, in the Eaton and Palisades disaster areas.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the state's $40.5 billion budget this week, a portion of which will go toward recovery from Hurricane Helene, including rebuilding roads and structures and grants that can be used to repair homes.

As disasters like severe flooding in Appalachia become more regular occurrences, we must do more than celebrate community resilience. Investments in infrastructure and systems that can withstand major events are essential.

Residents in parts of West Virginia hit by severe flooding last week are encouraged to fill out forms reporting associated property damages. These surveys will help FEMA determine whether it can provide assistance.

County officials report $250 million in federal funds are on the way to help communities recover from hurricanes Milton and Helene. That's not enough, they say, as requests to fund efforts total nearly $1 billion.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in 10 southern West Virginia counties, while Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has submitted an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing recovery efforts.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday announced it will start with Phase 2 debris removal at private residential properties in the Eaton and Palisades wildfire impact zones this week.

About 20 soldiers from the National Training Center at Fort Irwin in California joined volunteers from across the state in Los Angeles to distribute food, clothing and hygiene items to victims of the wildfires.

The CZU inferno destroyed about 700 homes in Santa Cruz County. Of those, 127 residences have been rebuilt and another 134 are under construction, according to the county.

Members of Congress launched an investigation Monday into Los Angeles County’s emergency alert system after delayed electronic warnings were blamed for the loss of life during the Eaton Fire.