Raleigh North Carolina News

A week ago, firefighters in Conway went to a neighborhood and told surprised residents their houses would flood from Hurricane Florence even though they had never had water in them before. On Monday and Tuesday, those same firefighters checked on those same neighborhoods with maps that detailed each of the nearly 1,000 homes that could expect to be inundated. “It’s kind of playing out exactly like we forecast,” Conway Fire Chief Le Hendrick said. Twelve…

Fall leaf season brings thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to Western North Carolina. Fortunately, Hurricane Florence did not have a significant impact on the leaves. Experts said the storm mostly missed the Asheville area, and they are expecting a healthy fall season. Remnants of the hurricane dropped much less rain in the mountains than in other parts of North Carolina and the leaves were still green, so they did not fall off trees…

Governor Roy Cooper said on Tuesday evening that a 67-year-old man died while cleaning up storm debris in Craven County, making the death toll 36 in North Carolina. “This deadly storm has left a lasting impact on families, neighborhoods and communities across a wide swath of our state,” Gov. Cooper stated. The death toll in North Carolina stands at 36. The other deaths occurred in South Carolina and Virginia. In South Carolina, two detainees drowned…

By Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporter For many trying to navigate through Hurricane Florence’s flooding, traveling by boat is the only way to cross the Northeast Cape Fear River. Angela Woodcock isn’t making the trip alone. Her husband helps her cross the river by boat. Their passenger: a wedding dress in a plastic tote. Full speed ahead. “I held onto that tote,” said Woodcock, co-owner of bridal boutique Camille’s of Wilmington. “I had a life jacket…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican leaders in the General Assembly confirmed on Tuesday their intention to order a special legislative session for hurricane relief on October 2. “The first thing we need to do is unlock the rainy day fund,” Cooper told ABC11 while touring damage in Kinston. “Clearly, there’s been a rainy day in North Carolina.” Lawmakers confirmed the reserve fund has about $2 billion set aside for natural and…

After Hurricane Florence devastated the eastern part of North Carolina, some of the state’s politicians took to social media and politicized the storm. Some comments focused on hurricane relief funding for the state, or the lack of. Others mentioned laws they believe made North Carolina more vulnerable during a large storm. How valid are their comments? We’ve chosen four statements to explore, and see what evidence there is to support these claims. Did Walker vote…

WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — The charges against a Wayne County woman accused of treating animals stranded by Hurricane Florence at an unregistered shelter have been dismissed, according to the District Attorney’s Office for the 8th Judicial District. Tammy Hedges was charged with 12 counts of misdemeanor practice/attempt of veterinary medicine without a license and one count of solicitation of a Schedule 4 controlled substance. District Attorney Matthew Delbridge released this statement regarding the incident:…

WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — The charges against a Wayne County woman accused of treating animals stranded by Hurricane Florence at an unregistered shelter have been dismissed, according to the District Attorney’s Office for the 8th Judicial District. Tammy Hedges was charged with 12 counts of misdemeanor practice/attempt of veterinary medicine without a license and one count of solicitation of a Schedule 4 controlled substance. District Attorney Matthew Delbridge released this statement regarding the incident:…

If you’re a homeowner, business owner, renter, or run a non-profit, you could qualify for a low-interest SBA disaster assistance loan. “If you don’t have insurance or have a large deductible, you’ll have a larger gap, and we can look at funding the difference to make you whole,” said Carl Dombek with the SBA Office of Disaster Assistance. Dombek said they’ve already approved more than seven million loans and expect to approve even more. “I…

By Janine Bowen, WRAL.com editor Wayne County, N.C. — Charges have been dropped against a Wayne County woman who was arrested after operating a make-shift animal shelter during Hurricane Florence. Tammy Hedges was charged with 12 counts of practicing medicine without a veterinary license after authorities said she converted a warehouse into an unregistered shelter during the hurricane and administered medication, including antibiotics and ointments, to the animals. Hedges was contacted by Wayne County Animal…

LELAND, N.C. (WTVD) — Furniture, children’s bikes and personal belongings sit outside many homes in the Stoney Creek Plantation subdivision in Leland. More than 30 homes in the neighborhood were flooded by Hurricane Florence, said resident Randi Jo Rooks. Rooks’ home also flooded. She said she has flood insurance but so many of her neighbors don’t. So she’s gotten the community together and hundreds of volunteers are helping clean up. “It really is so sad…

Lumberton residents whose properties were damaged by flooding in Hurricane Florence want to sue the railroad giant CSX, and asked a federal judge Tuesday to let them file a class action lawsuit. They say CSX had been aware of major flooding risks at one spot on its route through Lumberton for years, didn’t do anything to prevent flooding at the site, and also stopped locals from taking action of their own to protect the town….

As cleanups continue from Hurricane Florence people are noticing more bugs, especially mosquitoes. The number of mosquitoes has risen due to an increase of stagnant water across the region. Temperatures are also above normal which creates a better environment for mosquitoes to thrive. That threat for mosquitoes will be highest in spots that still have slow receding water from Florence. This week mosquito levels will be highest on Wednesday and Friday. The North Carolina Department…

By Mikaya Thurmond, WRAL anchor/reporter Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Florence hit, the only way to get in and out of a Pender County resident’s home is by kayak. Meredith Nance said her flooded home is “like a horror movie.” She and her 4-year-old and 7-year-old sons evacuated to her mother’s home in Cary. Other family members stayed behind. When the storm hit, they sent Nance pictures of her flooded house and of their kayaking…

Hurricane Florence and its aftermath claimed 36 lives in North Carolina through Monday night, according to a state count. As flood waters receded, roads opened, power was restored and the state began its long recovery over the weekend, the toll climbed. “Florence is gone but the storm’s devastation is still with us,” Gov. Roy Cooper said during a storm update Monday. Nine people died in South Carolina and two in Virginia for a total of…