Month: November 2018

By Mike Maze, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — As drizzle fell Wednesday evening in the Triangle, WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said Thursday will be the “grand finale” of the rainy week. Light rain will continue to fall overnight, but the precipitation will begin to get heavier at about 5 a.m. Thursday. “It’s nasty today, and it’s only going to get nastier tomorrow,” Maze said. Maze said the worst of the rain should begin at about 7…

While recording artists often donate their time and money to charitable efforts, for every group they may put their weight behind, there are countless others who will be turned down. When a disaster hits close to home, however, that’s when you see whose hometown roots run deep. So after Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, especially the eastern part of the state, Parmalee didn’t just cut a check to an organization. To hear lead singer Matt…

Facing a severe housing shortage that has left Hurricane Florence survivors living in hotels or crashing with friends and relatives, North Carolina will begin using a new FEMA program by December to make temporary, basic repairs so some residents can move home. The STEP program — Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power — was launched after Hurricane Sandy left thousands of homes and apartments unlivable in New Jersey and New York in October 2012. Lacking available…

Gov. Roy Cooper asked North Carolina’s members of Congress to help secure an additional $5 billion in federal dollars for Hurricane Florence recovery, saying the state will prioritize smart and efficient solutions to a second massive flooding event in two years. “We think it’s a reasonable ask and it’s based a lot on what Congress has done with hurricanes in the past since 2005,” said Cooper, who was in Washington, D.C., for meetings with the…

Cooper wants $5B more from feds in Florence relief By November 14, 2018 01:21 PM Governor Roy Cooper presented a plan for an additional $5 billion in federal funds to help North Carolina recover and rebuild from Hurricane Florence.

Some state lawmakers on Tuesday were shocked to find out that boats that washed ashore or were sunk during Hurricane Florence – once hazardous materials were removed – were either left where they were found or re-sunk. Capt. Christian Gillikin of the Atlantic Coast Marine Group told legislators at a meeting that the U.S. Coast Guard activated at a level that only allowed for the removal of hazardous materials, not the removal of the wreck….

As relief efforts ramp up to aid victims of California’s latest round of devastating wildfires, numerous stars and celebrities — some victims of the blazes themselves — have contributed time and money to help others. The Camp Fire in Northern California has killed 48 people and destroyed 7,600 homes, while the Woolsey Fire in Southern California has killed two and burned 483 homes, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Both fires…

By Mike Moss and Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologists Raleigh, N.C. — You might see some sprinkles or light showers during the morning commute, but compared to Thursday, Wednesday will be mostly clear. Most rain diminished by 9 or 10 a.m. Tuesday, but the day will stay cloudy and cool with temperatures in the 40s. After an overcast day, persistent rain will return for Thursday. Much of the viewing area, including the Triangle, is under a…

By Claudia Rupcich, WRAL reporter Sanford, N.C. — At least five water rescues were reported in Lee and Moore counties overnight and on Wednesday. A flooded Sanford road was closed Wednesday morning while crews rescued a woman trapped in her car. According to officials with the Sanford Fire Department, the woman was pulled from her car on N. Plank Road near Highway 421. Officials say she drove into floodwaters, which completely submerged her car. The…