Raleigh North Carolina News

RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (AP) — Renee Kyro already has voted for Republican nominee Donald Trump for the third consecutive presidential election. But she plans to volunteer for the first time, reaching out to her neighbors in hurricane-battered western North Carolina to make sure they have a voting plan amid a flurry of precinct changes. “I want to say I’m confident he wins, but I’m worried that people are just overwhelmed and may need some help or…

In the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a warning to North Carolina taxpayers about scammers posing as charitable organizations to get personal and financial information from unsuspecting donors. Scammers commonly set up fake charities to take advantage of peoples’ generosity during natural disasters and other tragic events. “Many people want to assist survivors and their families by donating to charities,” said Danny Werfel, IRS Commissioner. “Unfortunately, criminals frequently…

A Lee County Middle School teacher has been missing for weeks after her home in Avery County was swept away by Helene’s floodwaters. Kim Ashby was last seen in a red shirt and black pants floating down the river after the floodwaters carried away her home in Elk Park. Her husband was found alive days later, 2 miles away. He is recovering and refuses to leave the area until his wife is found. Kim’s daughter, Jessica Meidinger,…

Distribution of IV fluids to most hospitals nationwide were reduced 40-60% after the nation’s largest manufacturer was hit by Hurricane Helene. The Baxter North Cove facility in Marion, N.C., produced roughly 1.5 million bags a day. The location is responsible for about 60% of the country’s supply of IV fluids. Duke University Hospital’s Chief Quality Officer Dr. Jon Bae said there is a shortage of “a lot of the traditional IV fluids, normal saline, Lactated…

Several University of North Carolina member institutions are waiving application fees for students in counties that were affected by Hurricane Helene. The offer is valid for all applying students from 39 disaster-declared counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27 in an effort to reduce hardships for college-bound students. The move is part of College Application Week, a statewide initiative to encourage high school seniors to pursue higher education….

By Brian Murphy, WRAL News Durham, N.C. — The Durham Rays? It seems like a long shot, but Hurricane Milton’s destruction in Florida, particularly in the Tampa area, has, at least, allowed some to dream of a Major League Baseball team coming to the area. The roof Tropicana Field, the home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, was badly damaged during Hurricane Milton which hit Florida earlier this month, raising questions about its viability for the…

On Wednesday, students at Appalachian State University returned to the classroom for the first time since Hurricane Helene hit on Sept. 27. Students will have some catching up to do – and the campus still has damage to repair. All water and power has been restored on campus, and most of the buildings have been repaired, but there are a few areas that are blocked off, including a concert hall on campus. A close-up of…

Some people planning to vote absentee are finding an unpleasant surprise when they receive their ballots. State officials say moisture from Hurricane Helene has caused one or both envelopes used to return the ballot to seal shut. There’s no word on exactly how many counties or ballots have been affected. In an email, North Carolina State Board of Elections spokesperson Pat Gannon wrote “Chatham and a few other” counties have reported problems, likely “caused by…

On Wednesday, students at Appalachian State University returned to the classroom for the first time since Hurricane Helene hit on Sept. 27. Students will have some catching up to do – and the campus still has damage to repair. All water and power has been restored on campus, and most of the buildings have been repaired, but there are a few areas that are blocked off, including a concert hall on campus. Freshman Madyson Bajema…

Tens of thousands of students in the Southeast are dealing with school disruptions after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc so severe — on homes, campuses and municipal power and water systems — that some districts have no idea when they will reopen. While virtual learning helped during the COVID-19 school closures, that has not been an option for this crisis because internet and cellphone service has remained spotty since the storm struck in late September. In…

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck a family in western North Carolina who fled the war in Ukraine, only to be swept away by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. Loved ones told WRAL News that two family members have been found dead, while two others remain unaccounted for. A photo shared with WRAL shows Anastasia and Dmytro Segen, and their 13-year-old son Yehveni. Another photo shows the grandmother, Tetyana Notvitnia. The family fled Ukraine in 2022,…

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck a family in Western North Carolina who fled the war in Ukraine, only to be swept away by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. Loved ones told WRAL that two family members have been found dead, while two others remain unaccounted for. A photo shared with WRAL shows Anastasia and Dmytro Segen, and their 13-year-old son Yehveni. Another photo shows the grandmother, Tetyana Notvitnia. The family fled Ukraine in 2022, seeking…

Students in Buncombe County have been out of school for nearly three weeks due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Tragically, the district has confirmed that four students lost their lives in the storm. Many families have relocated to the Triangle as recovery efforts begin in their hometowns. In Chapel Hill, several families displaced by Hurricane Helene are coming together to process their trauma while receiving therapy and support. Conversations at the Chapel Hill…

Back-to-back hurricanes that brought death and devastation to parts of the South were made worse by a wide range of false and misleading information, some of which still circulates even though they have been conclusively proven false. Coming in the closing weeks of a hard-fought presidential election, the false information became political fodder, particularly in swing states hit hard by Hurricane Helene and then Hurricane Milton. Former President Donald Trump has pushed a litany of…

Millions of people in the southeastern U.S. still are reeling from the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but scientists warn that the Atlantic hurricane season is far from over. “As far as hurricane landfalls in the U.S., it’s been crazy busy,” said Jeff Masters, meteorologist for Yale Climate Connections. So far five hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. — and the record is six. Masters said it’s possible that record will…