Virginia

New FEMA disaster recovery center opens in St. Albans

Published

2 years ago

June 11, 2024

New FEMA disaster recovery center opens in St. Albans

ST. ALBANS, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The newest disaster recovery center to be opened by FEMA is located on Washington Avenue at the Hansford Senior Community Center in St. Albans.

Less than a month after President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for West Virginia, Deputy Disaster Recovery Manager James Young said FEMA has already made a great financial impact on homeowners and renters seeking assistance for severe weather damages that occurred from April 2-6.

“We’ve now awarded over $1.7 million in assistance and that’s with over 1,200 registrations.”

More than 500 people have already registered for FEMA in Kanawha County, so the disaster recovery center was moved to St. Albans.

Young said, “We started off in Tyler Mountain, next we’ll be moving on to St. Albans at the Hansford center and then go to Dunbar so, every week we will rotate between the three locations just to make sure that if you can’t get there one day or it’s not the most convenient, there’s access for everybody who’s impacted.”

While homeowners can apply for disaster assistance for structural damages to their properties, other parts of a residence or private property — not covered by insurance — can also be repaired or replaced under FEMA programs.

“Let’s say you receive some damage to a private road on your property or your septic system or maybe a well, there’s a chance FEMA could offer you some assistance. That’s why it’s so important to always stop by one of our disaster recovery centers like the one in St. Albans that way you can get that one-on-one contact,” said Trey Paul, a FEMA media relations specialist.

The St. Albans location will remain open until June 14, and FEMA says the goal is to help as many survivors as possible.

Survivors can apply in person at one of the disaster recovery centers, online at disasterassistance.gov, the FEMA app, or call 1-800-621-3362.

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Virginia

First responders train in Blacksburg

Published

5 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – First responders never stop training, and this week almost 500 from across Virginia are honing their skills in Blacksburg.

The Virginia Association of First Responders now includes EMTs, firefighters, police officers and many others who answer the call in an emergency.

Thursday, a farm accident and a collision involving a car and school bus were just two of the scenarios they encountered.

“It’s a week-long opportunity, not only for technical stuff like this, but for medical classes,” said Covington Volunteer Rescue Squad member Greg Burton. “People call 911 every day for something. And we’re just here to help ease the problem a little bit.”

The annual conference also includes a Rescue Camp for young people with an interest in emergency services.

43 campers are taking part in a variety of activities, including a session on scuba diving Thursday afternoon.

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Virginia

Brush fire in Virginia Beach set by children playing with fire

Published

15 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Brush fire in Virginia Beach set by children playing with fire

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A brush fire in a wooded area on Criollo Drive Wednesday afternoon was set by children playing with fire, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

Units with Virginia Beach Fire and Virginia Beach Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Criollo Drive in reference to a report of a possible fire in a wooded area at approximately 5 p.m.

Upon arrival, crews saw light smoke coming from a wooded area. They quickly had the brush fire under control at 6:05 p.m. and marked out at 6:37 p.m.

There were no injuries reported to civilians, firefighters or pets.

A VBFD Fire Investigator determined that the fire was set by kids playing with fire.

There are no charges being filed currently.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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