The Memorial Weekend will honor firefighters, including Tony Ray Garrison, who died during Hurricane Helene. FAIRVIEW, N.C. — A North Carolina firefighter who died during Hurricane Helene will be honored during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years.  Among the honorees is Battalion Chief Tony Ray Garrison of the Fairview Volunteer…

Governor Josh Stein has extended the State of Emergency for 34 counties in North Carolina due to ongoing wildfire threats. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein extended the state of emergency for western North Carolina wildfires in 34 counties for an additional 30 days, his office announced Saturday.  This extension aims to ensure that the State Emergency Response Team has all necessary resources to continue protecting people and property from the ongoing wildfire threat, Stein…

Governor Josh Stein has extended the State of Emergency for 34 counties in North Carolina due to ongoing wildfire threats. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein extended the state of emergency for western North Carolina wildfires in 34 counties for an additional 30 days, his office announced Saturday.  This extension aims to ensure that the State Emergency Response Team has all necessary resources to continue protecting people and property from the ongoing wildfire threat, Stein…

“You’re alive. The rest will fall in place, and you just have to keep on trucking.” CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — Nearly seven months after Hurricane Helene tore through the small mountain town of Chimney Rock, the scars left behind are slowly giving way to signs of strength. The storm gutted homes, shattered storefronts and upended lives. But today, the people of Chimney Rock are doing more than just recovering. They’re rebuilding with purpose. For Shari…

A tree crashed into a woman’s bedroom during Tuesday’s storms. “It would’ve killed me,” she said. FORT LAWN, S.C. — Families in Lancaster and Chester counties are working to recover after severe storms pushed through the area on Tuesday, damaging homes and power lines. Crews worked throughout the day to clear debris and repair power lines after downed trees left some residents without electricity for nearly 24 hours. The storm moved through quickly but with…

Matthew Rogers lost his cabin in Flat Rock to wildfires after making his final mortgage payment, highlighting the growing threat driven by climate change. FLAT ROCK, N.C. — Matthew Rogers had just made his final mortgage payment on the cabin he bought 30 years ago in Flat Rock when a wildfire tore through the property, turning a lifetime of memories into ashes. “Everything is gone… it’s just so hard to see it,” Rogers said. “I…

Matthew Rogers lost his cabin in Flat Rock to wildfires after making his final mortgage payment, highlighting the growing threat driven by climate change. FLAT ROCK, N.C. — Matthew Rogers had just made his final mortgage payment on the cabin he bought 30 years ago in Flat Rock when a wildfire tore through the property, turning a lifetime of memories into ashes. “Everything is gone… it’s just so hard to see it,” Rogers said. “I…

The Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County has grown to over 2,085 acres and is 50% contained, state officials said. MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Multiple crews are working to contain a wildfire in McDowell County, officials said.  McDowell County Emergency Management said the fire started along Armstrong Creek Road, just off North Carolina Highway 226 in Turkey Cove. As of Tuesday morning, the fire had grown to 2,085 acres and was 50% contained, according…