Month: September 2018

LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities say the death toll from large-scale flooding in recent weeks has jumped to nearly 200 people. The National Emergency Management Agency said Thursday the toll is up from the 100 reported last week. It says more than 1,000 other people have been injured, with more than 800,000 affected overall since late August. The agency says those numbers are expected to rise. A national disaster has been declared in four of…

Something magical happened for a little girl’s birthday. Now, the Harry Potter-themed gift made for the 6-year-old continues to create something special, this time to make things better for those affected by Hurricane Florence. It began when Vivienne Patsas-Nevitt told her parents she wanted a Harry Potter-themed party for her 6th birthday, WBAL-TV reported. Her parents delivered in a big way, turning the backyard of their Gambrills, Maryland home into something you’d expect to see…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — It could rain for most of Thursday, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, and most of the state is under a risk for severe storms. According to Gardner, damaging winds, heavy downpours, isolated tornadoes and lightning are most likely late afternoon and in the evening. The entire viewing area is under a level 1 risk for severe weather. “Wind damage will be our biggest threat, but tornadoes…

By Tyler Dukes, WRAL investigative reporter Raleigh, N.C. — As the floodwaters from Florence began receding, state and federal regulators started probing the extent of the environmental damage caused by a historic storm that dumped more than 30 inches of rain on some parts of North Carolina. Here’s the latest information on a range of environmental concerns and longterm impacts of the overwhelming flooding the state received. This story will be updated with new information…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — It could rain for most of Thursday, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, and most of the state is under a risk for severe storms. According to Gardner, damaging winds, heavy downpours, isolated tornadoes and lightning are most likely late afternoon and in the evening. The entire viewing area is under a level 1 risk for severe weather. “Wind damage will be our biggest threat, but tornadoes…

A group of Kentucky public health nurses has returned home after spending about nine days in North Carolina, where they worked in emergency shelters housing people displaced by Hurricane Florence. Kentucky public health officials say the team consisted of nine registered nurses and two administrative staff members. They say members were from the Bracken County and Lexington-Fayette County health departments, the Department of Insurance, the Department for Public Health and Louisville Metro Public Health and…

A North Carolina city dealing with fallout from Hurricane Florence has been swarmed by aggressive mosquitoes nearly three times larger than regular mosquitoes. North Carolina State University entomology professor Michael Reiskind tells The Fayetteville Observer that Florence’s floodwater has caused eggs for mosquito species such as the Psorophora ciliata to hatch. These mosquitoes, often called ‘gallinippers,’ are known for their painful bite and often lay eggs in low-lying damp areas. The eggs lie dormant in…

ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — Robeson County remains in recovery mode two weeks after Hurricane Florence made landfall. Homes, businesses and historic sites such as the Indian Education Resource Center are all regrouping. “This building represents our history. Our culture,” said Rita Locklear, former director of the Indian Education Resource Center. “Inside is jewelry, clothing, students can see where my ancestors lived and worked.” The facility is an art gallery and museum that houses tons…