Latest Disaster planning and response News
Officials shift to recovery following Oregon wildfires
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's wildfires have “turned a corner” as firefighters continue to make significant progress containing the flames, but Oregonians still face a long road to recovery, Gov. Kate Brown said Wednesday. Officials are hopeful that rain, which is expected during the next...
Oregon misstated evacuation figures in chaos of wildfires
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — As wildfires raged across Oregon, state officials sent out a statement saying 500,000 people had been evacuated to escape encroaching flames. The figure referenced in the Sept. 10 news release from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management was striking – representing more than 10%...
Mexico sending 101 firefighters to help in California
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico said Wednesday it will send 101 firefighters to the United States to help battle wildfires in California. The country’s Environment Department said five teams of 20 trained, equipped firefighters from Mexico’s national forestry commission will work with the U.S....
Storm heads to Tokyo area, residents urged to prepare early
TOKYO (AP) — A tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean is slowly approaching the Tokyo region Wednesday, and officials are urging residents to take precautions early from expected heavy rain and gusts. Tropical Storm Dolphin headed north over waters south of the Hachijo island, packing sustained winds of up...
Disaster food stamp applications for Laura end Wednesday
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Wednesday is the last day for people in the 21 parishes damaged by Hurricane Laura to apply for disaster food stamp aid. The program, called the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food assistance to eligible households that don't regularly receive food...
As COVID-19 cases rise, health care industry sees upheaval
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota health officials on Tuesday reported 320 new cases of COVID-19 as the state experiences an uptick in cases in recent weeks and state lawmakers readied plans to address the crisis with federal relief money. Representatives from the state’s health care providers...
Close call with storm renews debate over Houston barrier
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Houston, a Gulf Coast city that barely rises above sea level, has long worried about a worst-case weather scenario — a direct hit from a powerful storm that sends a wall of water barreling into the region's petrochemical facilities, possibly triggering an environmental...
Maine CDC opens investigation into school outbreak
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — State officials have opened an investigation into an outbreak of coronavirus that forced a school to move into full-time remote learning mode, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. The outbreak at Sanford High School and Sanford Regional Technical Center...
Drought conditions in Maine qualify farmers for federal help
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — State authorities in Maine are encouraging farmers in the northern part of the state to contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture for assistance in the wake of the declaration of a drought disaster. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has designated Aroostook County, home to most...
The Latest: Hollywood unions announce pandemic agreement
LOS ANGELES — Hollywood’s unions have announced that they have reached an agreement on pandemic protocols with major studios that will allow the broad resumption of production of films and television after six months of stagnant sets and widespread unemployment. The Directors Guild of America, the...
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