Raleigh North Carolina News

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…

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — Multiple fires have burned tens of thousands of acres throughout Southern California. The Woolsey Fire is burning in parts of Los Angeles County and Ventura County, including Thousand Oaks, where 12 people were killed in a nightclub shooting on Nov. 7. Late on Nov. 13, a brush fire, dubbed the Sierra Fire, flared up in Rialto in San Bernardino County. Though the fire quickly grew to 20 acres, shortly after it…

Central North Carolina is not nearly done with rain yet, National Weather Service forecasters said Wednesday as they predicted up to 2 more inches and posted a flood watch for the region. Similar cautions were posted for western and northeast North Carolina, central South Carolina, and parts of Maryland and Georgia. The amount of rain recently has saturated the ground, and creeks, streams and rivers are already running high, the weather service office in Raleigh,…

Central North Carolina is not nearly done with rain yet, National Weather Service forecasters said Wednesday, as they predicted up to 2 more inches and posted a flood watch for the region. Similar cautions were posted for western and northeast North Carolina, central South Carolina, and parts of Maryland and Georgia. The amount of rain recently has saturated the ground. Creeks, streams and rivers are already running high, the weather service office in Raleigh said….

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 the rest of this week, Wednesday will be mostly clear. According to WRAL meteorologist Mike Moss, most of the sprinkles will diminish by 9 or 10 a.m., but the day will stay cloudy and cool with temperatures in the 40s. After an overcast day, persistent rain will return for…

A message board at a shelter for the many people who fled California’s deadliest wildfire is filled with photos of the missing, as well as pleas for any information about relatives and friends. “I hope you are okay,” reads one hand written note on the board filled with white and yellow sheets of notebook paper. Another had a picture of a missing man: “If seen, please have him call.” Authorities on Tuesday reported six more…

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — Hurricane Florence is threatening to be the Grinch for some local families this Christmas. Toys for Tots in Cumberland County is partnering with Robeson County this year because more families are in need of toys this holiday season. “Thanksgiving is next week. I honestly have no idea where we’re going to eat dinner at right now. Christmas is six Saturdays away I think it is,” said Spring Lake resident Cassidy…

Ernest Foss was a musician who gave lessons out of his home when he lived in San Francisco, where an amplifier that ran the length of a wall served as the family’s living room couch. Carl Wiley refurbished tires for Michelin. Jesus Fernandez, known as “Zeus,” was described as a loving father and loyal friend. They were among the first victims identified in the aftermath of the deadliest, most destructive wildfire in California history, an…

The Latest on wildfires in California (all times local): 5:45 p.m. Victims of California’s most destructive wildfire have filed a lawsuit accusing Pacific Gas & Electric Co. of causing the massive blaze. The suit filed Tuesday in state court in California accuses the utility of failing to maintain its infrastructure and properly inspect and manage its power transmission lines. The utility’s president said earlier the company doesn’t know what caused the fire, but is cooperating…

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler is among the homeowners who lost their house in Southern California’s wildfires. Kapler told The Athletic his ex-wife and two sons lived in the Malibu house and evacuated last week. A friend sent him photos over the weekend showing only a steel staircase remained of the property, about a mile from the Pacific Ocean. Kapler moved to Philadelphia after the Phillies hired him last October, but kept the house for his…

Authorities doing the somber work of identifying the victims of California’s deadliest wildfire are drawing on leading-edge DNA technology, but older scientific techniques and deduction could also come into play, experts say. With the death toll from the Northern California blaze topping 40 and expected to rise, officials said they were setting up a rapid DNA-analysis system, among other steps. Rapid DNA is a term for portable devices that can identify someone’s genetic material in…