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CHARLESTON -- Gov. Jim Justice on Friday requested federal aid from the summer floods in seven counties including Doddridge and Jackson while the state's coronavirus adviser warned another COVID-19 variant may be coming.
A letter was sent to President Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency seeking the federal assistance for Doddridge, Jackson, Fayette, Kanawha, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties, Justice said during Friday morning's pandemic briefing. Severe weather and flooding from July 12 to Aug. 15 resulted in the state receiving twice the normal amount of rain.
Numerous homes, schools, businesses, roads and public utilities were damaged or destroyed.
"I hope that President (Joe) Biden and FEMA will go along and agree and approve our request as quickly as possible and everything," Justice said during the online briefing with state reporters. "It could sure help a lot of folks here in West Virginia."
Dr. Clay Marsh, the state's coronavirus adviser, and James Hoyer, chairman of the interagency task force on vaccines, also participated in the briefing.
Information from Europe indicates a mutation of the omicron BA.5 variant is growing, the BQ1.1 variant, Marsh said.
"We're starting to see this in the U.S. as well," Marsh said.
The vaccines and the latest boosters appear effective against the variant, Marsh said.
He recommends getting the vaccines and boosters "as soon as you are eligible," pointing out that the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control recently approved the vaccines for those as young as 5.
The COVID-19 vaccine due date calculator on the state's coronavirus website will be updated to reflect the new age guidelines, Marsh said.
A growing number of residents are getting their first vaccines and the latest boosters, Hoyer said. About 19 percent of residents over 65 have gotten the newest omicron booster, he said.
"While that may be ahead of some national numbers, that's not where we need to be from a West Virginia public health perspective," Hoyer said.
Justice also announced a new trout stocking initiative next week at 40 lakes and streams involving 30,000 troutt, of which 2,500 will be trophy size and 250 will be tagged. Anglers catching a tagged trout will get a prize, he said.
"We'll be giving you a commemorative hat and a certificate and everything of that accomplishment," Justice said.
The governor, an avid outdoorsman, also encouraged residents to look at the changing leaves on trees.
"Just look around," he said. "The colors are spectacular beyond belief."