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10/15/2024

Folks who live in coastal areas are probably well aware of the risks from tropical systems.
As Hurricane Helene has shown us, maybe we should talk more about the risks from tropical systems to localities far removed from the coastline.

Folks who live in coastal areas are probably well aware of the risks from tropical systems.But inland communities maybe aren’t as prepared for hurricanes and tropical storms after they come ashore. As Hurricane Helene has shown us, maybe we should talk about the risks from tropical systems to loca...

10/13/2024

Like many in this area, Glenn Bise's farm flooded, and high winds and water destroyed fencing. His other concern is hay, which farmers use to feed cows in the winter when grass isn’t growing.

Early estimates say Helene cost farmers in the Commonwealth more than $139 million. A lot of the farmers impacted are in Washington, Smyth and Grayson counties.

10/13/2024

The buzz at Black Bear Solar Farm in Buckingham County is a pilot program featuring four hives with 45,000 bees and one queen apiece.

Last week was a slow time for solar energy in the Commonwealth, but some arrays have found ways to be productive, even on cloudy, rainy days.

10/12/2024

The lawsuit filed Friday says that an executive order issued in August by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin requiring daily updates to voter lists to remove ineligible voters violates federal law.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Virginia election officials Friday that accuses the state of striking names from voter rolls in violation of federal election law.

10/11/2024

Karen Swerling started a group called Richmond Really Sews – using a community room at the neighborhood supermarket and the basement of her 1910 Victorian.

Some critics warn that social media has deprived people of the personal connections and celebrations that have, historically, defined humanity, but here in Virginia one woman has proven otherwise – using social media and an old-fashioned skill to create hundreds of new friendships.

10/10/2024

Much of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia will reopen on Friday morning.

The Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia, which closed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene, will reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 11. This includes the 198 miles of the scenic byway from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 - Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road (near Fancy Gap):

The Humpback Rocks, James River and Peaks of Otter visitor centers will reopen, as power and water have been restored to all facilities where it existed before the storm.

The Mabry Mill Cultural Site will be open, and the Eastern National/America’s National Parks sales outlet will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Peaks of Otter and Rocky K**b campgrounds will operate on a first-come, first-served basis until October 14, at which time existing reservations will again be honored. Otter Creek Campground was closed for the season prior to the storm and will remain closed.

Peaks of Otter Lodge will continue to operate (it did not close after the storm).

The National Park Service hopes to reopen the remainder of the parkway in Virginia within the next two weeks.

"Due to the hard work of the Blue Ridge Parkway crews, we are able to open nearly 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, a vital and scenic route that both embodies the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our region and plays a vital role in the local economy through tourism and community engagement,” said Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway. “While we celebrate this achievement, we also recognize that significant and, in some areas, long-term work remains in North Carolina. We are committed to restoring all sections of the parkway to the highest standards of safety and accessibility for our visitors.”

Visitors should be aware that trail assessments have not been completed in all areas and caution should be exercised when hiking. Additionally, they may find fewer services than normal as many employees are assisting with operations in North Carolina, where the impacts of the storm were far more severe. Areas closed due to construction prior to the storm will remain closed.

The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina remains closed as crews continue emergency stabilization and damage assessments following Hurricane Helene. Updates will be posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway website at https://ow.ly/L1vy50TJea4 and on the park’s social media platforms.

NPS Image: Parkway with fall foliage in 2022.

10/10/2024

It’s been almost two weeks since Helene damaged hundreds of homes across Southwest Virginia. In some of the hardest hit communities, it could take more than a year to rebuild washed out roads and fully reopen the Virginia Creeper trail.

It’s been almost two weeks since Helene damaged hundreds of homes across Southwest Virginia and took the lives of two people. In some of the hardest hit communities, including Damascus and surrounding areas, it could take more than a year to rebuild washed out roads and fully reopen the Virginia C...

10/09/2024

Roxy Todd has been reporting this week from some of the hardest hit areas of Southwest Virginia. This video is along Laurel Valley Road near the Konnarock community.
You can hear more of Roxy's reporting Thursday on Morning Edition and All Things Considered on Radio IQ.

10/09/2024

Danville’s transit system hopes to expand city bus service to the wider region, maybe even to Lynchburg and Greensboro.

The survey runs through October, with hopes securing grant money for new buses operating by 2027.

10/08/2024

By Monday afternoon, dozens of people had already stopped in to the new FEMA disaster recovery center in Damascus to apply for help.

Residents impacted by flooding from Helene in parts of Southwest Virginia can now apply for financial help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

10/08/2024

The advisory was lifted Tuesday afternoon for four areas of Montgomery County and Christiansburg. But it continues for all other customers of the New River Valley Regional Water Authority, including Virginia Tech.

The boil advisory continues for all other customers in Montgomery County, including Virginia Tech.

10/08/2024

Cary Fedei is a former corporate graphic designer who fashioned a part-time hobby—cleaning and restoring antique furniture—into a full-time job.

Cary Fedei is a former corporate graphic designer who fashioned a part-time hobby into a full-time job in Portsmouth.

10/07/2024

About $90 million was thrown at the program in the short term to cover more than 8,000 VMSDEP beneficiaries this year. But the state’s nonpartisan watchdog offered a few long-term solutions Monday.

About $90 million dollars was thrown at the program in the short term to cover more than 8,000 VMSDEP beneficiaries this year.

10/06/2024

During the 2022-23 flu season, hundreds of thousands were hospitalized with complications from the flu across the country. And the Virginia Department of Health, says this year’s flu season is trending higher.

"Next to voting, getting your flu shot is a civic responsibility,” said Richmond Mayor Stoney.

10/06/2024

This country is on the cusp of a huge wealth transfer, with baby boomers leaving trillions of dollars to kids and grandchildren.
That’s prompted a new group to help women better understand the fundamentals of finance, so they can invest in or start their own companies.

This country is on the cusp of a huge wealth transfer, with baby boomers leaving trillions of dollars to kids and grandchildren. That’s prompted a new group to help women better understand the fundamentals of finance, so they can invest in or start their own companies.

10/05/2024

The state has identified 519 homes and 83 commercial buildings with some degree of damage, as of Friday morning.
Meanwhile, misinformation, rumors and hoaxes about the government's response to Helene have been spreading online.

“When we find ourselves in those moments where you’re desperate and you can’t get answers, that's where confusion and misperceptions can be unleashed,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said.

10/04/2024

The community in Virginia most devastated by Helene's flooding is the town of Damascus.
That's where the non-profit Health Wagon has been going door to door, checking on people.

A week after tropical storm Helene poured rain on communities throughout the Southeast, some are still without access to grocery stores, or doctors. The community in Virginia most devastated by flooding is the town of Damascus. There, the non-profit Health Wagon has been going door to door, checking...

10/03/2024

What happens once the polls close on Election Day?
The facts around counting is the latest installment of our Elections 101 series.

After the polls close on election night, election workers process and report the results of each race. They double, sometimes triple check each step of the process. RadioIQ spoke with a county registrar and an expert in elections to learn more about how the voting process works in Virginia on electi...

10/03/2024

Montgomery County and the New River Valley Regional Water Authority say the process to flush and clean the system of potentially contaminated water will continue through the weekend of October 12-13, at least.

10/02/2024

Initial estimates in Virginia suggest at least 200 homes were flooded and that number will likely rise.
Volunteers are organizing to help people here in Virginia, and across Appalachia.

Initial estimates in Virginia suggest at least 200 homes were flooded across several counties, and that number will likely rise.Volunteers are organizing to help people here in Virginia, and across Appalachia.

10/02/2024

Work to restore power in Southwest Virginia is taking longer than originally forecast. And a boil notice for public water customers in Montgomery County could continue into the weekend.

Virginia's request for a federal major disaster declaration was approved Wednesday morning.

10/02/2024

The most heated discussion centered around city council’s recent decision to remove single family designations from the city’s zoning plan.

Stephanie Moon, Joe Cobb and David Bowers answered questions at a Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce forum Tuesday night. The most heated discussion centered around city council’s recent decision to remove single family designations from the city’s zoning plan.

10/01/2024

Tune in to the 'CBS News Vice Presidential Debate', tonight on CBS or simulcast by NPR at 9:00 on Radio IQ.

10/01/2024

When floodwaters engulfed a hospital, heavy rain kept helicopters in Tennessee on the ground. But choppers from Virginia State Police came to the rescue.
Here's how they did it.⬇️

"We unloaded two crew members to explain to the people on the building what was going to happen, then we started rotating helicopters in,” Virginia State Police Lt. Col. Matt Hanley said Monday.

09/30/2024

Emergency officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage to Southwest Virginia from Tropical Storm Helene. Many communities are without water and power, and residents evacuated across seven counties.

Emergency officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage to southwest Virginia from tropical storm Helene. Many communities are without water and power, and residents evacuated across seven counties.