Senators Warner/Kaine announce federal funding for Hurricane Helene

U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $46,670,000 in federal funding to support disaster recovery efforts in Virginia following Hurricane Helene.

The funding was part of the disaster relief package that passed to fund the government.

The funding is allocated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Disaster Recovery program, which provides flexible funding to support long-term recovery efforts in impacted communities, including restoration of public infrastructure, homes, and businesses, and funding for job training, workforce development, and loans and grants to support economic revitalization and local businesses.

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Governor Youngkin proposes establishing Disaster Assistance Fund

Governor Youngkin proposed a $127 million investment to establish the Disaster Assistance Fund.

This one-time funding will address critical recovery needs by leveraging existing resources to fill gaps left by federal and private recovery efforts, providing targeted support to rebuild communities.

The Disaster Assistance Fund will support life, safety, and housing-related recovery efforts for costs not covered by federal assistance, private donations, or insurance.

Distributions from the Fund would be appropriated by specific legislation.

Relief to Southwest Virginia from the lasting devastation of Hurricane Helene will be enacted by legislation during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly Session.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Forest Restoration Program

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Virginia’s forests have suffered extensive
damage.

The Virginia Department of Forestry has partnered with state and federal
agencies to provide support to affected landowners.

One of the key resources available is the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, which offers cost-sharing for forest restoration efforts.

If your forestland was impacted by the storm, reach out to your local forester for more information on the resources available to help you recover.

For further details, visit this link.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here

Part of the Parkway reopens

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive sign picture taken by employee of WZRV/WFTR used by permission

The Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia, which had closed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene, reopened at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 11th.

This included the scenic byway stretching from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 – Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road, near Fancy Gap.

Visitor centers at Humpback Rocks, James River, and Peaks of Otter reopened, as power and water are restored to all facilities that were operational prior to the storm.

The Mabry Mill Cultural Site has opened as well, and the Eastern National/America’s National Parks sales outlet is operating daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Otter Creek Campground had closed for the season prior to the storm and will remain closed.
Peaks of Otter Lodge continued to operate without interruption.

The National Park Service expressed hope to reopen the remainder of the parkway in Virginia within the next two weeks.

The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina continues to be closed as crews perform damage assessments following Hurricane Helene.

Updates are posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway website and through the park’s social media platforms.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Warren County steps up efforts to help hurricane victims

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Thanks to an anonymous community member there is now a tractor-trailer ready to bring donations to Hurricane Helene victims.

Donations that have already arrived will be transferred to the tractor-trailer once it arrives according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

The tractor-trailer is set to leave for Southwest Virginia and if enough supplies are collected on to the Carolinas.

Supplies are being collected for victims, first responders, and animals affected by the hurricane.

Items are being collected at the Warren County Public Safety building at 200 Skyline Vista Drive Front Royal 24 hours a day through October 12.

Along with the usual recovery items like water, sports drinks, toilet products, diapers, and the like there is a new list of items being requested.

Those new items include shovels, rakes, wire, camping chairs, new sleeping bags, air mattresses, and any other types of items that will help in the recovery.

The recovery process will take a large amount of time and there is another storm that is likely to strike later this week.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

PCFA collected supplies for farmers in Ashville North Carolina

page county election coverage

The Page County Farmers Association announced that they were collecting needed supplies for farmers in Ashville North Carolina.

The Page County Co-op and Luray Southern States confirmed that they were accepting donations with trucks on site for loading.

PCFA President Jim Gochnour  made appropriate arrangements to have the items taken to the Asheville distribution site.

Trucks were on site at 201 Williams Street and 127 Big Oak Road both in Luray.

Most importantly feed for cattle, sheep, and goats were the items immediate need.

Temporary fencing supplies and electric fencing equipment would be most appreciated as well.

Monetary donations made out to PCFA was helping in the long road to recovery for farmers affected by Hurricane Helene in Ashville.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Weatherwise, October 2024

We’ll update the on-going drought situation in the Shenandoah Valley, we’ll answer the question “what is a humidity gulper, we’ll talk about the Why’s of Helene and we’ll tell  you about some changes in the way the National weather Service reports watches and warnings during the winter.

VEC accepts applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

extended benefits program

The Virginia Employment Commission is now accepting applications for residents who are employed or self-employed in the southwestern portion of the Commonwealth that was impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Individuals who lost jobs, businesses, or had their hours reduced due to the hurricane may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Residents may be eligible even if they do not qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance and were living, working, or scheduled to work in the affected area.

DUA applies to losses beginning September 25th and eligibility for benefits will be determined on a week-to-week basis for each week filed in a claim.

A link with more information or to apply to the VEC’s Claimant Self Service is available here. 

Applications will be accepted until December 1st for those effected in Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe Counties as well as the City of Galax. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

River Report: 9-27-24

It’s our final River Report of the season, and Riverkeeper Mark ends with some talk about hurricanes and upcoming elections. Our reports this year have been brought to you by Front Royal Outdoors. We thank Don Roberts and his crew at FRO for their continued sponsorship of these vital updates about our most precious resource in the Valley. Visit them at https://frontroyaloutdoors.com

VA price gouging protections in effect for Hurricane Helene

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that state price gouging protections are now in effect ahead of Hurricane Helene.

The price-gouging statutes immediately go into effect following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency as outlined in the 2004 Anti-Price Gouging Act.

The law is designed to protect Virginians from paying exorbitant prices for necessities during an emergency.

Items and services covered by the protections include:

  • Water
  • Ice
  • Food
  • Generators
  • Batteries
  • Home repair materials or services
  • Tree removal services

To determine price gouging, Miyares recommends checking if the post-disaster price grossly exceeds the price of the same food or service 10 days before the disaster.

Violations to the Anti-Price Gouging Act are enforceable by the office of the Attorney General and consumers can send complaints to the office’s General Consumer Protection Section.

Claims related to gasoline or motor fuel prices should be directed to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

To file a complaint or request additional information, consumers may:

  • Call (800)552-9963
  • Email consumer@oag.state.va.us
  • Fill out the online complaint form available here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.