Live Updates: Hurricane Ian wallops Florida, heads north
September 30, 2022 GMTThe Latest on Hurricane Ian:
SANIBEL, Fla. — The U.S. death toll from Hurricane Ian’s passage has risen to four overall after an official said late Thursday that two people were confirmed dead on a hard-hit barrier island on Florida’s western coast.
Pandemic, labor shortage keep hurricane victims in limbo
September 14, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Nearly six years after flood damage from Hurricane Matthew displaced Thad Artis from his home in Goldsboro, North Carolina, he has still not been placed in permanent housing.
Living alone in a motel for the past two years, growing increasingly frustrated with what he considers empty promises of swift action from government officials, the 68-year-old spends every penny on his wife’s health care after a stroke left her unable to walk.
SC pier damaged in 2016′s Hurricane Matthew nears reopening
March 5, 2022 GMTSURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina pier is on track to be reopened later this year after being damaged by Hurricane Matthew more than five years ago.
Surfside Beach is using federal disaster aid to pay for $15 million of repairs to its pier and renovating nearby buildings, The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports.
Remains found, yet most people escaped Colorado fire
January 6, 2022 GMTDENVER (AP) — A late-season wildfire pushed by hurricane-force winds tore through two densely populated Denver suburbs and seemed destined to leave a trail of deaths. Yet, only two people were unaccounted for out of some 35,000 forced from their homes.
Interstate 95 widening project hopes to avoid flooding
October 11, 2021 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The N.C. Department of Transportation has signed a $432 million contract this month to rebuild eight miles of Interstate 95 through one county with an eye on eliminating a recurring flooding problem.
Even in backup role, federal government supports Ida victims
September 1, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Response to disasters such as Hurricane Ida falls primarily to state and local officials, but the federal government is playing an important support role — making available millions of dollars in aid and coordinating with local officials and private relief groups for everything from meals to generators and search-and-rescue efforts.
Even in backup role, federal government supports Ida victims
September 1, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Response to disasters such as Hurricane Ida falls primarily to state and local officials, but the federal government is playing an important support role — making available millions of dollars in aid and coordinating with local officials and private relief groups for everything from meals to generators and search-and-rescue efforts.
EXPLAINER: Hit by Ida, New Orleans faces weeks without power
August 31, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Hurricane Ida knocked out all eight transmission lines that deliver power to New Orleans, leaving the entire city without electricity as the powerful storm pushed through on Sunday and early Monday with winds that reached 150 miles per hour.
Utility builds flood walls for SC power substation
July 24, 2021 GMTNICHOLS, S.C. (AP) — A utility is building walls around an electric substation to prevent them from being overrun by floodwaters in the first of its kind project in South Carolina.
House bill to shore up flood-prone NC areas gets panel’s OK
June 1, 2021 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Legislation that would spend $220 million in part to shore up highways, rivers and coastal areas prone to flooding so that North Carolina can better withstand the next big storm cleared a House committee on Tuesday.
Zeta’s toll on a Louisiana island: ‘Like a bomb was dropped’
October 30, 2020 GMTGRAND ISLE, La. (AP) — Mark Andollina remembers stinging rain and a howling wind that peeled the roof off part of his Cajun Tide Beach Resort on Grand Isle, the Louisiana barrier island town where residents were among the first to feel the ferocity of Hurricane Zeta...
The Latest: Sally’s winds increase to 90 mph
September 16, 2020 GMTHere are the latest developments on tropical weather (all times local):
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Hurricane Sally is strengthening as it creeps toward Florida and Alabama. The National Hurricane Center says the Category 1 storm's winds have increased to 90 mph (150 kph).
Historic US towns endured wars, storms. What about sea rise?
December 5, 2019 GMTSWANSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Historic cities and towns along the Southeastern U.S. coast have survived wars, hurricanes, disease outbreaks and other calamities, but now that sea levels are creeping up with no sign of stopping, they face a more existential crisis...
The Latest: Dorian churns north along North Carolina coast
September 6, 2019 GMTOCRACOKE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Dorian (all times local):...
The Latest: Minnis: Many still in shelters on Grand Bahama
September 5, 2019 GMTFREEPORT, Bahamas (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Dorian (all times local):
9:40 p.m.
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis says he has visited storm-ravaged Grand Bahama, finding many people remain in shelters even though much of the flooding has eased...
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...
Anxiety and impatience in long wait for Dorian in coastal US
September 1, 2019 GMTVERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Two days after storm shutters started going up and people waited in long lines for gas and food in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian, the parking lot of a Home Depot a short drive from the beach in central Florida was nearly empty as the sun peeked out behind scattered clouds...
Mobile home residents hit with soaring rent after hurricanes
July 10, 2019 GMTLUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) — For eight years, James Lesane paid what he could for his mobile home lot rental every month — $150...
Goldsboro woman flooded out by Matthew, Florence still searching for help to return home
March 14, 2019 GMTStaris Morgan gets up every day to fight bureaucracy.
"There's a lot of others that have lost. I'm one that has kept fighting," Morgan said.
She says she has no choice because she has nowhere to live.
Marion County schools working to get back to normal
September 28, 2018 GMTMARION, S.C. – Marion County School District Superintendent Kandace Bethea and school officials are looking at the big picture in preparations for students to return to school in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence three weeks into the school year.
Marion County School District working towards getting back to normal
September 27, 2018 GMTMARION, S.C. – Marion County School District Superintendent Dr. Kandace Bethea and school officials are looking at the big picture in preparations for students to return to school in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence three weeks into the school year.
New Florence flooding forecasts are good news for S Carolina
September 26, 2018 GMTBUCKSPORT, S.C. (AP) — The last community in the way of Hurricane Florence's floodwaters as they slowly flow to the sea got some good news Wednesday — the predictions aren't as dire as they once were...
Pastor: Flood damage to Spring Lake church ‘devastating’
September 24, 2018 GMTSunday morning worship looks different for churchgoers in Spring Lake as they figure out what to do about storm damage.
The pastor of Church of the Covenant Presbyterian says floodwaters from Florence swept through the historic building last week, and it's not the first time the small congregation has faced costly repairs.
When will it end? Florence’s floodwaters rising in Carolinas
September 22, 2018 GMTGALIVANTS FERRY, S.C. (AP) — With muddy river water still washing over entire communities on Friday, eight days after Hurricane Florence slammed into land with nearly 3 feet of rain, new evacuation orders forced residents to flee to higher ground amid a sprawling disaster that's beginning to feel like it will never end...
The Latest: Death toll rises to 43 in aftermath of Florence
September 22, 2018 GMTThe Latest on the effects of Hurricane Florence (all times local):
8:15 p.m.
Authorities say the death toll has now risen to 43 dead in the aftermath of former Hurricane Florence...
Carolinas farms could take billions in losses from Florence
September 21, 2018 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Florence is testing the resolve of farmers in the Carolinas, who could face billions of dollars in agricultural damage while still feeling the sting from Hurricane Matthew almost two years ago...
Florence-weary South Carolina could get more record flooding
September 20, 2018 GMTWILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — As rivers swollen to record levels started to recede Thursday in North Carolina, officials tried to head off potential environmental disasters and prepared for more record flooding downstream in South Carolina...
‘Up in the air’: If displaced by storm, where to call home?
September 19, 2018 GMTBENNETTSVILLE, S.C. (AP) — As the pounding rains from Hurricane Florence finally ended, Lutrice Garcia left the shelter where she had spent several nights on a cot and tried to head home...
Price of saving road to Myrtle Beach: Flooding nearby town?
September 18, 2018 GMTCONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Two years ago, from Hurricane Matthew and in 1999, from Hurricane Floyd, floodwaters came close to entering Joe Holmes' house in South Carolina, but he dodged those bullets...
More wet misery, soggy messes as Florence floodwaters rise
September 17, 2018 GMTMany residents of the Carolinas have seen hurricane flooding before, but they say they haven't seen anything like the deluge FLORENCE, S.C. – As the remnants of what was Hurricane Florence blew out of the Pee Dee on Sunday, the rains it brought with it, and the water it left in its wake, left residents along Black Creek in Florence evacuating and left SCDOT crews scrambling to protect one of the primary routes into Horry County from rising flood waters.Hurricane Florence leaves Pee Dee rivers rising in its wake
September 17, 2018 GMT
North, South Carolina cope with wet misery left by Florence
September 16, 2018 GMTFlorence's strong winds may be dropping, but heavy rain and floodwaters are bringing wet misery to much of North and South Carolina...
As Florence moves west, North Carolina prepares for recovery
September 15, 2018 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina must withstand more torrential rains, gusty winds, and river flooding from Tropical Storm LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) — She takes a break from hauling rugs and family heirlooms into the attic to look out the front door and watch it rain and rain and rain some more...Deluged by Hurricane Matthew, rural town waits for Florence
September 15, 2018 GMT
Florence’s deluge testing South Carolina infrastructure
September 15, 2018 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The torrential rains from Florence will test South Carolina's infrastructure, which failed under historic flooding in 2015...
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...
2 years after disastrous flood, Florence scares small town
September 14, 2018 GMTNICHOLS, S.C. (AP) — One woman left town. Another prays her house might somehow be spared again. And one man will just wait and watch and hope the water doesn't rise...
The Latest: Florence downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane
September 14, 2018 GMTMYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Florence (all times local):
11 p.m.
Florence has been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane with top sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph)...
TIMBER: Florence community prepares for Hurricane Florence
September 13, 2018 GMTFLORENCE, S.C. – Like many other Florence residents, Greg and Jamie Stuckey are preparing for the coming hurricane. They have experience.
The Stuckeys live in the Jackson Avenue area, which got heavily hit during the 2016 Hurricane Matthew.
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...
The Latest: Florence now a Category 2 storm, still dangerous
September 13, 2018 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Florence (all times local):
11:00 p.m.
Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm but it is still considered an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm...
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...
FEMA: Make preparations now
September 12, 2018 GMTFLORENCE, S.C. – Now is the time to prepare for the impending arrival of Hurricane Florence, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A spokesman for the agency said history shows storms can change tracks quickly and it is necessary to continue to listen for instructions from local, state and federal officials.
Florence poses a new threat for rural, struggling towns
September 12, 2018 GMTPRINCEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — James Howell Jr. lost big two years ago when WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration scrambled Friday to distance itself from the decision to award a $300 million contract to help restore Puerto Rico's power grid to a tiny Montana company from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown...Trump administration disavows Puerto Rico power contract
October 27, 2017 GMT
Lawmakers seek probe of power contract to Zinke neighbor
October 24, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Congress from both parties on Tuesday called for an investigation into a $300 million contract awarded to a small company based in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown of Whitefish, Montana.
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.
One year after Matthew, Salvation Army continues to recover in Fayetteville
October 7, 2017 GMTIt's been nearly a year since Hurricane Matthew came ashore in North Carolina, and many families and organizations are still struggling to recover. One of those is the Salvation Army.
Captain Matt Trantham will never forget the day flood water from Hurricane Matthew came rushing in to the Salvation Army shelter on Alexander Street.
Kingwood flood victims navigate path to recovery assistance
October 6, 2017 GMTLosing their home to a flood was the last thing JoAnn Breitling thought her family would go through.
Breitling, 67, and her husband, Sam, 72, are retired. They take care of their 34-year-old son, Matthew, who has Down syndrome.
Yellow wristbands, segregation for Florida homeless in Irma
September 29, 2017 GMTST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) — Shelby Hoogendyk says that when she, her husband and her 17-month-old son arrived at an emergency shelter as Hurricane Irma closed in, they were separated from others by yellow wristbands and told to stay in an area with other people like them — the homeless...
Trump mulls cargo waiver for Puerto Rico as criticism builds
September 28, 2017 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Under pressure to do more to help hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration was considering waiving a little-known federal law that prohibits foreign-flagged ships from shuttling goods between U...
NASA’s Florida sites damaged during Irma
September 19, 2017 GMTFlorida’s Spacecoast is among many areas cleaning up after Hurricane Irma. Despite hurricane force winds, several inches of rain and possible tornadoes, the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor complex (KSCVC) have escaped major damage but remained closed last week.
Coast Guard: Most fuel spilled from tank farm unrecoverable
September 15, 2017 GMTLess than 20 percent of a 461,000-gallon (1.7-million-liter) gasoline spill in Texas during Hurricane Harvey was recovered by the company responsible, while the rest evaporated or soaked into the ground, a U...
The Latest: 3 dead from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning
September 13, 2017 GMTMIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Irma (all times local):
8:45 p.m.
Three people are dead from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning at a Florida home following Hurricane Irma, and four others have been hospitalized...
Back-to-back storms in Georgia mean doing repairs all over
September 12, 2017 GMTSAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — New drywall, new insulation, repaired door frames and fresh paint — Joey Spalding was still finishing repairs at his home on Tybee Island nearly a year after it got flooded by Hurricane Matthew...
The Latest: Irma inland near Tampa, still Category 2 storm
September 11, 2017 GMTST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Irma (all times local):
12:15 a.m.
The National Hurricane Center says the core of Irma is now nearing Tampa in an area south of Lakeland — a community inland and to the east of the heavily populated Tampa Bay region...
Plant explosions, spills test industry’s response to Harvey
September 2, 2017 GMTExplosions and fires at a Texas chemical plant inundated by Harvey's floodwaters are raising questions about the adequacy of industry preparations for the monster storm and stoking fears of more accidents in the days ahead...