RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Down trees, destroyed roads, communities underwater. These are just some of the chilling impacts Helene had in the Commonwealth.

“Our hearts go out to all those people in those communities that are going to be recovering for quite a while,” said Kristopher Dumschat with the Red Cross of Virginia.

The category four hurricane made landfall in Florida Thursday, leaving neighborhoods in utter disarray.

“It’s devastating. From houses that have been flooded or completely damaged to people who have no place to sleep anymore or don’t have the ability to take a shower or cook in their home,” Dumschat said.

Helene’s remnants eventually making its way to Virginia, where the southwest region got hit the hardest.

“This is a very rural area, so many of these homes may not be part of a neighborhood per say, so that adds some challenges on top of communications issues that we’re experiencing and just navigating some of these communities that have roadways that are washed out due to mudslides,” said Jonathan McNamara with the Red Cross of Virginia.

Governor Glenn Youngkin made stops in those communities. His team announced Sunday that the governor’s request for assistance from FEMA was approved.

Meanwhile, crews with the Red Cross of Virginia are on the ground helping those residents in whatever way they can.

“Supporting emergency shelters, going into areas to speak with families to understand what damage they have experienced and get a sense for what resources from not only the red cross, but those other relief agencies can be put to bare to help them recover,” McNamara said.

Despite the destruction here at home, Virginians are still assisting people in other states.

Dumschat and dozens of other Red Cross volunteers loaded trucks with food, water and clean up kits in Florida.

“I have a line of ERVs [emergency response vehicles] waiting to come in and as they come in they are getting loaded up by our volunteers and then they’re going out to the communities to drop off those much needed supplies,” Dumschat said.

The Red Cross is seeking help from the public. They’re in need of donations, volunteers and blood.

“There’s dozens of blood drives cancelled up and down the east coast. We feel that here in Richmond, but we feel that exponentially greater in those communities that have been impacted. You want to make sure we don’t a second crisis on our hand,” McNamara said.

Click here if you’re interested in helping the Red Cross of Virginia.

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A Richmond jury has ruled in favour of three women who alleged they were sexually abused while patients at Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents in Virginia, awarding them a total of $300 million in damages, as per the news agency AP.
According to WTVR-TV, the jury awarded each woman $60 million in compensatory damages and $40 million in punitive damages.
The trial, held in Richmond Circuit Court, is the first in a series of lawsuits brought by 46 former patients against the hospital and Dr. Daniel Davidow, its longtime medical director. The women accused Davidow of inappropriately touching them during femoral pulse exams while under his care.
Kevin Biniazan, the lawyer representing the women, expressed the emotional significance of the verdict, stating, “To have a group of strangers look at them, listen to them, and tell them they believe them… it broke them down in tears immediately. It broke us all down in tears.”
Davidow, however, has denied all allegations. His lawyer, Bob Donnelly, claimed in court that the femoral pulse examination, a standard medical procedure from the 1960s and 1970s, was used. Donnelly stated, “Davidow firmly denies the allegations of sexual assault.”
Earlier this year, Davidow was acquitted of felony sex abuse charges involving two other former patients after a criminal trial in April. Despite his acquittal, civil lawsuits against him and the hospital continue, with the next trial scheduled for March.

The football program at Virginia has come off to a relatively good start, garnering three wins and only dropping one contest against Maryland. The cavaliers will have to rely on a number of key players to keep this success afloat. 

QB Anthony Colandrea

Colandrea is no surprise here. He is the starting quarterback and the engine of this Cavalier offense. The sophomore has been clocking an encouraging upward trend in his completion percentage and touchdown numbers. His completion percentage was around 75% for the first two games of the season before a drop to 56% against Maryland. Colandrea picked it up against Coastal Carolina, clocking in at 65%. He also threw for two touchdowns against Coastal Carolina and Richmond, three against Wake Forest. but threw for zero against Maryland. He will have to make sure to limit turnovers, however, as he threw two interceptions each against Wake Forest and Maryland. Colandrea’s ability to protect the ball on offense and continue to improve will determine the future of the Cavalier football season. 

WR Malachi Fields

Malachi Fields has been the leader on the receiving front for Virginia. He collected two touchdowns against Coastal Carolina and had 100+ receiving yards versus Richmond and Wake Forest. The 6’4 Charlottesville native seems to be picking up steam, which could be invaluable for the Cavaliers if he can keep it up. Fields must stay cool under pressure as he will continue to draw the top cover-guys from ACC squads and be tested in the latter part of the schedule. 

RB Xavier Brown

Xavier Brown had a killer performance against Coast Carolina. He rushed for 171 yards with his longest run going for 75 yards . This was the definition of a breakout game, as he had not recorded over 100 rushing yards in a single game in his career. This showing may be enough to make him the starter at running back. Can he continue to put together strong rushing numbers as the season progresses? His ability to do so would be invaluable to the Cavaliers.

TE Tyler Neville

Tyler Neville represents a new age for Virginia. He notably collected two touchdowns against Wake Forest. The Cavaliers have not utilized tight ends in the passing game often since Jelani Woods in 2021. He racked up 57 receiving yards against Maryland as well but only had 31 receiving yards against Coastal Carolina. His performance against Wake Forest is certainly an indicator of the great potential Neville holds. If the Cavaliers can find a consistent place for Neville in their passing game, they will find themselves with a sneaky weapon to utilize. 

Safeties Jonas Sanker and Antonio Clary

Jonas Sanker and Antonio Clary are important as duo and leaders of the defense. There’s an argument to be made that these two make up one of the best, if not the best, safety tandem in the ACC currently. These two need to chase the ball and force takeaways, however. Clary recorded an interception against Coastal Carolina, the first of the season for the UVA defense. Sanker and Clary have made over 70 tackles between the two of them. Their ability to cause turnovers and make interceptions will give Virginia the turning-point advantage that they really need. 

LB Kam Robinson

Kam Robinson was a notable absence in the Hoos’ only loss of the season versus Maryland. The defeat was not exactly a defensive issue, but Robinson would certainly have been able to provide a greater chance of victory. The linebacker has made 15 tackles in 3 games, including a sack against Wake Forest. His potential is high and his true impact has not been fully revealed as of yet.

DE Kam Butler

Kam Butler is a player that could be invaluable to the Hoos if he rises to the occasion. The remarkable seventh-year player has the opportunity to put pressure on opposing QBs, which will give the team a much needed boost in the pass-rushing department for the next stretch of the season. So far, he has made 15 tackles with one sack at Coastal Carolina. He’ll have to utilize his experience and game-sense in order to fuel an effective pass rush for the Cavalier for the rest of the season.

Bonus: Grady Brosterhous

We have to give a shoutout to the leader of the Grady Bunch. The junior quarterback is something of a QB sneak specialist. He has recorded just 10 yards over the whole season, but these have led to three touchdowns. If Brosterhous can be a consistent goal line playmaker for the Cavaliers this will prove to be a valuable tool on 4th and short situations. 

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