US storm survivors: We need money faster, less red tape
October 29, 2022 GMTMIDDLETOWN, N.J. (AP) — Survivors of storms that pounded several U.S. states say the nation's disaster aid system is broken and that they want reforms to get money into victims' hands faster, with less red tape.
Floridians endure slow wait for power knocked out by Ian
October 5, 2022 GMTBONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Ian may be long gone from Florida, but workers on the ground were pushing ahead Tuesday to restore power and search for anyone still trapped inside flooded or damaged homes.
Water drains from Tampa Bay from Ian’s winds, then refills
September 29, 2022 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Water driven back by powerful winds drained from Tampa Bay as Hurricane Ian approached Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday, and some dared to venture out on the exposed bay floor.
Ian eventually made landfall as a major hurricane near Fort Myers, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the south.
Prosecutors drop some charges in Florida nursing home deaths
September 22, 2022 GMTFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors dropped manslaughter charges Thursday against three nurses who were present when 12 nursing home patients suffered fatal overheating five years ago after Hurricane Irma knocked out power to their facility's air conditioning.
Report: $12B in hurricane home damage pending in Puerto Rico
November 3, 2021 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused $18.6 billion in damage to housing across Puerto Rico, with only 36% of that damage covered by federal and local government officials some four years later, according to a report released Wednesday by a nonpartisan think tank.
Man gets 2 years for lying about hurricane damage for money
October 22, 2021 GMTJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for lying about damage caused by Hurricane Irma in order to receive disaster relief money.
Deontre Javan Taylor, 27, was sentenced Friday in Jacksonville federal court, according to court records.
Florida condo building deemed unsafe, evacuation ordered
July 3, 2021 GMTNORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The city of North Miami Beach ordered the evacuation of a condominium building Friday after a review found unsafe conditions about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the site of last week's deadly collapse in South Florida.
Man gets three years for lying about hurricane damage
March 17, 2021 GMTORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for lying about damage caused by Hurricane Irma...
Puerto Rico to get billions for storm aid, reconstruction
February 2, 2021 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico is slated to receive more than $6 billion in federal funds to help prepare the U...
Florida cat reunited with owner 2 years after hurricane
December 29, 2019 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A cat that went missing two years ago in Florida during Hurricane Irma has been reunited with the pet's owner...
The Latest: Dorian churns north along North Carolina coast
September 6, 2019 GMTOCRACOKE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Dorian (all times local):...
AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s bluster on hurricanes, guns, economy
September 2, 2019 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Facing another deadly mass shooting, President Donald Trump is deflecting on gun control...
The Latest: Dorian continues to pounds northern Bahamas
September 2, 2019 GMTMIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Dorian (all times local):
11:15 p.m.
The National Hurricane Center has extended hurricane and storm surge watches northward in Florida to the Georgia state line as Hurricane Dorian continues to pound the northern Bahamas...
No state-wide evacuation call for Dorian, unlike Irma
August 30, 2019 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he'll issue no blanket calls for Floridians to leave the state, apparently hoping to avoid some of the chaos that characterized the run-up to Hurricane Irma in 2017...
Watchdog: FEMA wrongly released personal data of victims
March 22, 2019 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency wrongly released to a contractor the personal information of 2...
Panhandle residents feel forgotten 4 months after hurricane
March 2, 2019 GMTPANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) — It was little more than four months ago that one of the most intense hurricanes ever to make landfall in the continental United States devastated large parts of the Florida Panhandle — recent enough that displaced residents are still living in tents and empty foundations still stand in place of the homes that were ripped from their lots...
Michael offers exposure, and risk, to Gillum in gov’s race
October 11, 2018 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Crisis is often seen as a test of leadership for elected officials. Hurricane Michael whirled into the Florida governor's race days before it came ashore, and one of the beneficiaries could be Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee...
Storm offers exposure, risk to Democrat in governor’s race
October 10, 2018 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Days before it came ashore, Hurricane Michael whirled into the Florida governor's race, and one of the beneficiaries could be Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee who spent days in the storm's path...
Hurricane Florence pummels Carolinas without respite
September 15, 2018 GMTMillions of people in the path of Florence are hunkering down Friday as the monster storm pummels North and South Carolina, bringing catastrophic inundations and forceful, destructive winds...
AP Explains: How hurricanes unleash lethal storm surges
September 14, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Behold the awesome power of water. Already the ocean is swallowing beaches, roads and anything else in the way of Hurricane Florence's monstrous storm surge...
AP Explains: How storm surges build up, destroy and kill
September 13, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Behold the awesome power of water. Already the ocean is swallowing beaches, roads and anything else in the way of Hurricane Florence's monstrous storm surge...
Slaves’ descendants have long history of enduring hurricanes
September 13, 2018 GMTST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — As a potentially catastrophic Hurricane Florence steamed toward the Carolinas, Josh Dais watched the weather reports on the television in his barber shop and listened for updates from emergency officials...
Unique Gullah communities have ridden out many hurricanes
September 12, 2018 GMTST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — As a potentially catastrophic Hurricane Florence steamed toward the Carolinas, Josh Dais watched the weather reports on the TV in his barber shop and listened for updates from emergency officials...
Puerto Rico: 1,400 died from hurricane but toll still at 64
August 9, 2018 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico is estimating in a report to Congress that Hurricane Maria killed more than 1,400 people, though an island official said Thursday that the confirmed toll remains frozen at 64 pending a scientific review due out soon...
Puerto Ricans return to power grid, but fear for long term
July 16, 2018 GMTADJUNTAS, Puerto Rico (AP) — It was finally a night to celebrate in this village tucked into the mountains of central Puerto Rico...
Lake City native wins Emmy Award
June 26, 2018 GMTLAKE CITY, S.C. – Lake City native and WIS-TV meteorologist Von Gaskin received an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Chapter earlier this month. The Emmy was awarded to the WIS News Sunrise Crew for Hurricane Irma coverage.
Florida officials make few changes for upcoming storm season
May 31, 2018 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's governor and Legislature promised a dizzying array of fixes following the devastation of last year's hurricanes. But heading into a new storm season, the state has enacted only a few changes — the largest aimed at protecting seniors in nursing homes.
Updating the list of storm names
April 16, 2018 GMTWhat's in a name? When it comes to hurricanes, quite a lot — respect, for one. The World Meteorological Organization has decided that naming some tropical storm Harvey five years from now when it's barely holding itself together out in the open Atlantic would show a lack of respect to those who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey last year.
Just Ask Us: How do hurricanes get their names?
April 15, 2018 GMTQ: How do hurricanes get their names?
A: Names used to identify tropical stories and hurricanes aren’t arbitrary. They’re named by the World Meteorological Organization using a list of 21 names in alphabetical order that aren’t repeated for six years.
US hits record for costly weather disasters: $306 billion
January 8, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — With three strong hurricanes, wildfires, hail, flooding, tornadoes and drought, the United States tallied a record high bill last year for weather disasters: $306 billion...
Disasters pound North America in 2017; overall down globally
December 30, 2017 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — North America couldn't catch a break in 2017. Parts of the United States were on fire, underwater or lashed by hurricane winds...
Caribbean currents: Don’t forget the hurricane victims
December 16, 2017 GMTChristmas 2017 is just around the corner. This is the time that we prepare to bake our Christmas rum cakes, make our sorrel drinks, cook some curried goat and jerked chicken with all of the trimmings for Christmas dinner and invite family and friends to celebrate the reason for the season.
Hurricane season is - finally! - over
November 30, 2017 GMTA typical hurricane season slips into history with barely a notice. But once in a while, it passes with profound relief and perhaps something more - an ugly recollection, a fearful image, a few tears born of tragic loss.
Young Broomfield Entrepreneur Jack Bonneau Donates to Hurricane Irma Victims
November 24, 2017 GMTMore info:
Visit jacksstands.com
Young Broomfield entrepreneur Jack Bonneau recently delivered his message — and thousands of dollars in donations — to Florida schools impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Miami’s iconic offshore Stiltsville survived Hurricane Irma
November 24, 2017 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Stiltsville, a stubborn relic of Miami's less-glitzy past as a sun-soaked outpost, has survived Hurricane Irma's brutal winds and waves, much to the surprise of the landmark's caretakers and fans...
Shelter from the Storm
October 30, 2017 GMT“It looked like Chernobyl,” said Rome native Samantha Cherbony, referring to the catastrophic nuclear accident that took place in Ukraine in the 80s. She was describing her first glimpse of what Hurricane Maria recently did to her little corner of tropical paradise in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico utility moves to scrap $300M Whitefish contract
October 30, 2017 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The head of Puerto Rico's power company said Sunday the agency is cancelling its $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy Holdings amid scrutiny of the tiny Montana company's role in restoring the island's power system...
Nursing homes struggled with choice to evacuate in hurricane
October 29, 2017 GMTDALLAS (AP) — Murky water started seeping into a Port Arthur, Texas, nursing home four days after administrators decided to shelter in place. Volunteers — one even brandishing a gun — demanded relocation of the elderly residents, at least two of whom died in the days after police ultimately ordered the evacuation.
US economy shows resilience with 2nd straight solid quarter
October 27, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Powered by businesses and consumers, the U.S. economy grew at a solid 3 annual pace last quarter despite two devastating hurricanes — evidence of economic durability and all but assuring that the Federal Reserve will resume raising interest rates late this year.
Senate advances $36.5 billion disaster relief package
October 24, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Monday gave a preliminary OK to a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would provide Puerto Rico with a much-needed infusion of cash and keep the federal flood insurance program from running out of money to pay claims...
The Latest: Appeal backed by former presidents raises $31M
October 22, 2017 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the hurricane relief concert attended by a five living ex-presidents (all times local):...
Former presidents call for unity at hurricane aid concert
October 22, 2017 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The five living former presidents put aside politics and appeared together for the first time since 2013 at a concert on Saturday to raise money for victims of devastating hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico and the U...
Deputy charged with stealing pills from dead man’s home
October 20, 2017 GMTBOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a Florida deputy stole prescription medications from a dead man's home after Hurricane Irma.
The Palm Beach Post reports that Deputy Jason Cooke was arrested Thursday and charged with burglary and grand theft.
What Puerto Rico is doing to get the power back after storm
October 20, 2017 GMTBARCELONETA, Puerto Rico (AP) — Electrical linemen descend from helicopters, balancing on steel girders 90 feet high on transmission towers in the mountains of central Puerto Rico, far from any road.
911 calls on nursing home dying: ‘Oh my God, this is crazy’
October 17, 2017 GMTFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — At first there was no hint of distress in the 911 calls, no sense of a crisis unfolding...
AP analysis: FEMA rejects appeals worth $1.2B over a decade
October 15, 2017 GMTAs U.S. communities ravaged by this year's series of intense hurricanes and wildfires clear debris and begin to rebuild, many are counting on the federal government to help cover their costs...
House OKs $36B in disaster funds, says more on way for Texas
October 13, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON - The U.S. House signed off on crucial disaster relief Thursday for people hit by storms and fires from Puerto Rico to California, overcoming concerns from Gov. Greg Abbott that Congress had not earmarked money specifically for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
Bringing help and hope to hurricane victims
October 12, 2017 GMTRed Cross volunteer from North Platte returns home after Irma
Whenever disaster strikes, the American Red Cross sends crews of volunteers to offer assistance.
Lynnette Gralak of North Platte recently returned from a two-week stint assisting with Hurricane Irma relief efforts in Florida.
Woman who searched for days learns mother killed in wildfire
October 12, 2017 GMTSANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — A frantic Jessica Tunis had been calling hospitals and posting on social media when her family's search ended up back at the charred ruins of her mother's Santa Rosa house on Wednesday, looking for clues in the debris as to where she might be...
With hurricanes Irma and Harvey, Hurricane Matthew victims in NC still lack millions in federal disaster relief
October 9, 2017 GMTRecovering from the flooding devastation of Matthew takes time, determination, and money, state officials say and each one poses different challenges.
State Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry explains those moving parts.
A weakened Nate brings flooding, power outages to Gulf Coast
October 9, 2017 GMTBILOXI, Miss. (AP) — Hurricane Nate brought a burst of flooding and power outages to the U.S. Gulf Coast before weakening rapidly Sunday, sparing the region the kind of catastrophic damage left by a series of hurricanes that hit the southern U...
AP FACT CHECK: Trump off the mark on Puerto Rico hurricane
October 6, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump struck false notes in addressing Puerto Rico's crisis in recent days, exaggerating both the ferocity of a truly ferocious hurricane and the pace of recovery...
White House seeks $29B for disaster aid, flood insurance
October 4, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday asked Congress for $29 billion in disaster aid to cover ongoing hurricane relief and recovery efforts and to pay federal flood insurance claims...
The Latest: White House requests $29B disaster aid package
October 4, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on disaster aid funding (all times EDT):
5:30 p.m.
The White House has asked Congress for $29 billion in disaster aid to cover ongoing hurricane relief and recovery efforts and to pay federal flood insurance claims.
Mental health concerns in aftermath of Puerto Rico hurricane
October 4, 2017 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Locked out of his home and with nowhere else to go, Wilfredo Ortiz Marrero rode out Hurricane Maria inside a Jeep, which was lifted off its wheels by floodwaters in the parking lot...
UN chief: Scientists say extreme storms will be ‘new normal’
October 4, 2017 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is heading to the hurricane-battered Caribbean, where he said Wednesday that scientists predict the extreme storms during this year's Atlantic hurricane season "will be the new normal of a warming world...
AP-NORC Poll: Low marks for Trump’s Puerto Rico response
October 4, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are more likely to disapprove than approve of President Donald Trump's handling of the Puerto Rico hurricane relief effort...
In hurricanes’ aftermath, technology eases return to school
October 3, 2017 GMTSmartphone exchanges, social media, messaging apps and websites rendered students and their teachers at once disconnected and connected in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Now, as the hardest-hit schools reopen, advocates of technology that has been growing ever more present in American classrooms say it will only become more important in aiding students scattered by the storms.