As the temperatures drop, it’s as important as ever to take precautions when heating your home.

Tomorrow marks a key deadline to apply for disaster assistance from both FEMA and the Small Business Administration.

The deadline to apply for assistance after Helene is quickly approaching; it’s December 12.

Governor optimistic about federal support post-storm

More help is on the way for farmers and others in the agricultural community in southwest Virginia devastated by Helene.

FEMA announced a Disaster Recovery Center will be opening at 120 Pembroke Park Lane in Giles County on Monday, Oct. 28. The center will be open from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

FEMA has it a new milestone when it comes to helping those who were impacted by Helene in our region.

Help is now available in Montgomery County at a new FEMA Disaster Recovery Center for people who have suffered damage due to Helene.

The White House says the federal government has approved nearly $2 billion in assistance across six states to help people hit hard by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Here's the step-by-step process of how to apply for disaster assistance through FEMA.

FEMA announced a Disaster Recovery Center will be opening at the New River Valley Fairgrounds in Dublin on Monday, Oct. 14.

Survivors of Hurricane Helene in Grayson County can visit a new FEMA disaster recovery center to get aid starting today.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Wednesday that businesses and residents in eight additional counties plus the City of Radford are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans to assist in disaster recovery.

There’s a new resource in Wythe County to help people who’ve been hit hard by Helene.

The Wythe County Department of Emergency Services will begin providing FEMA disaster assistance support on Monday.

FEMA is offering assistance if you live in Giles, Grayson, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe Counties or Galax and you were impacted by Helene.

Giles County is now eligible for disaster relief funds under FEMA, and that’s a relief to people who are still cleaning up flood damage in the area from Helene.

Vice President Kamala Harris will tour damage caused by Helene in Georgia and North Carolina, as the devastating and deadly storm has also roiled the political calendar just over a month from Election Day.

FEMA is among those keeping a close eye on the rain from Debby. John Carlin spoke to Jeremy Greenburg about how the storm will impact our region.

For the first time ever, an inland flooding guide has been published to help you and your family stay safe – no matter the season.

Those safety equipment needs being addressed in Franklin County include electric power tools, fire hoses, radios, and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), according to the county’s release.

The City of Roanoke is asking for your input to Reimagine the Ramada.

Federal funding has been approved to help local communities recover from damages due to Hurricane Ian.

Parts of the commonwealth could see heavy rain and potential flooding this weekend as Hurricane Ian spreads.

The Ramada Inn could soon be leaving Roanoke City.

June 9 marks the deadline to apply for FEMA reimbursement funds to recoup costs lost during the February ice storm.

If you’ve had a loved one die after contracting the coronavirus, you may be eligible to receive thousands of dollars from the federal government.

A Florida state agency says dam safety experts consider the risk of a possible second breach in a leaking wastewater reservoir to be “unsubstantiated.”.

DANVILLE, Va. – Facing long lines and wait times, the opening day of the mass vaccination center at the Danville Mall did not go as smoothly as planned. To avoid congestion, staff grouped people by appointment times and created fast-track lines on Monday; however, they are now asking people to arrive only 20 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Pre-registration is required as walk-ins are still not accepted. Make sure to bring a copy of the appointment invitation or proof of your name when arriving at the site.

DANVILLE, Va. – Thousands of people in the Danville area will now be able to can now get their coronavirus shot. Calling it a game-changer, Pittsylvania/Danville Health District Director Dr. Scott Spillman, said the new mass vaccination center at the Danville Mall will administer up to 3,000 doses a day for the next several weeks inside the old JCPenney store. Ad“This site also provides opportunity economically to hire individuals in the community to support this as well,” said Brown. “For a while, it didn’t look like we were going to get there until the middle of the summer,” Spillman said. You can pre-register through the state’s registration website or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-877-829-4682.

It marked the first annual contraction for the country’s economy since 1998, when it was in the midst of a crippling financial crisis. In comparison, the federal government previously said 38% of people would receive two doses by the end of June. Still, that’s 700,000 doses on hand, when the state is getting 200,000 doses this week, rising to 223,000 next week. AdBharat Biotech has already signed an agreement with Brazil to supply 20 million doses of the vaccine by September. ___COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s mask mandate will continue until a “critical mass” has been reached of people who have received the coronavirus vaccine, a spokesperson for Ohio Gov.

HOUSTON – President Joe Biden delivered remarks at the FEMA COVID-19 vaccination site in Houston Friday evening. He was scheduled to speak at 6 p.m.

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a briefing about the upcoming presidential inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, at FEMA headquarters, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has confidence in FBI Director Chris Wray and plans to keep him in the job, the White House press secretary said Thursday. FBI directors are given 10-year terms, meaning leadership of the bureau is generally unaffected by changes in presidential administrations. But Biden's spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, was notably noncommittal when asked at her first briefing Wednesday whether Biden had confidence in Wray. "I have not spoken with him about specifically FBI Director Wray in recent days," Psaki said.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)WASHINGTON – The FBI is tracking an “extensive amount of concerning online chatter,” including calls for armed protests leading up to next week's presidential inauguration, Director Chris Wray said Thursday. Wray said the FBI was receiving a “significant” amount of information that it was pushing out to other law enforcement agencies ahead of the inauguration. States nationwide have already been stepping up security in preparation for possible armed protests and violence this weekend, particularly at statehouses amid legislative sessions and inaugural ceremonies. An FBI bulletin earlier this week warned of potential armed protests in all 50 states. The vice president visited with guard troops keeping watch outside the Capitol, telling them he’s familiar with the National Guard because he used to be a governor.

ROANOKE, Va. – As the Gulf Coast braces for Hurricane Sally, the Red Cross is preparing to help. Volunteers from the Southwest Virginia chapter have provided assistance after disasters for years, but that response looks different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive director Jackie Grant said they’re still sending people to affected areas for relief, but now they’re working with FEMA and the CDC to make sure they also protect people from the pandemic. “Some of these more serious disasters like Laura and impending Sally and the wildfires out in the west, we’re having to open emergency shelters but again having all those safety precautions in place,” Grant said. Click here to find out how you can support the Red Cross.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Lynchburg-area fueling companies are in Texas helping victims of what was Hurricane Laura. FEMA called on Foster Fuels, who answered the call. The company sent their drivers and about 40 trucks filled with fuel ready to serve. From clear diesel fuel to gasoline, and it can be used to power anything to generators to automobiles. Foster Fuels said its not sure how long its crews will be in Texas, but theyre prepared to stay as long as needed.

Despite the dire health emergency, one family is making sure a boy has a happy birthday. “Yeah, it’s sort of strange," said Zachary Gama, who is celebrating his 11th birthday. “And we had birthday music playing outside of our cars as we drove around to the court," said Jennifer Pereria, Zachary’s aunt. “I think it’s really important because their kids and birthday memories I feel are such an important memory in a child’s life," said Pereria. And while it will be a birthday to remember, Zachary already has wish for next year.

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017 when it touched down as a category 4 storm, wiping out electricity and leading to the deaths of almost 3,000 people. "These defendants were supposed to come to Puerto Rico to help during the recovery after the devastation suffered from Hurricane Mara. According to the Justice Department, Cobra was the main contractor for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority for recovery work following the storm. The company had received two contracts worth $1.85 billion from the power authority with federal funds from FEMA. Tribble is in a "non-duty, non-pay status," a FEMA official said, but FEMA said it cannot comment on personnel matters and is cooperating with prosecutors.

"Our goal is always to be the last to close, first to open," Waffle House public relations director Pat Warner told CNN. The hungry history of the Waffle House IndexFormer FEMA administrator Craig Fugate told CNN the Waffle House Index was born out of coincidence, hunger and necessity. The further south they drove, the more open Waffle House locations they found while other businesses were dark. So they codified it--and the Waffle House Index was invented. Waffle House plans to roll with Dorian's punchesTo determine whether shops should fire up the waffle irons or not is tricky.

Fire departments from California are being deployed by FEMA to help with Hurricane Dorian-related rescues in Charlotte, N.C. Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Instead, Pete Gaynor has continued to serve as the acting administrator of FEMA in an administration increasingly filled with acting titles. He was approved by the Homeland Security committee in June, but is still waiting on a full Senate vote. In the Trump administration, that's an acting position, too. As Trump's homeland security adviser, Bossert interacted and reported directly to the president. While being homeland security adviser once held serious weight, it now ranks beneath the deputy national security adviser.

FEMA disaster relief for immigration enforcement as tropical storm Dorian heads towards Puerto Rico. Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.