Wilmington North Carolina News

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Red Cross volunteers from North Carolina tackle wildfire relief efforts in California. (Photo: WTVD) RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) — Many Red Cross volunteers from North Carolina have spent weeks supporting those affected by hurricanes Florence and Michael. Now, some of them are shifting their focus to help families devastated by California wildfires. – Advertisement – Fire destroyed large parts of California again Monday. Six Red Cross volunteers from North Carolina…

Officials said there was no increased risk of contamination, just downed trees and minor flooding at the Navassa site BRUNSWICK COUNTY — The agencies responsible for cleanup of the 254-acre Kerr-McGee Superfund site along the Brunswick River in Navassa said that despite being battered by winds and seeing some flooding, the site emerged from Hurricane Florence relatively unscathed. “There didn’t appear to be any real damage to the site in terms of access to contaminants,…

The storm hammered Pender County’s beaches, but officials say the recovery is already well underway PENDER COUNTY — In all likelihood, tourism at Topsail Beach and Surf City will not be as robust next spring and summer as has been the case in past years. But Topsail Beach Town Manager Michael Rose said it’s not going to be a bust, either. Debris cleanup from Hurricane Florence continues in Topsail Beach, Rose said, and will probably…

The last Red Cross shelter in Wilmington closes. (Photo: Matt Bennett/WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Eight weeks to the day after Hurricane Florence made landfall along our coast, the last two Red Cross shelters in North Carolina closed today. James Jarvis with the Red Cross says everyone in the shelter at 1380 North College Road in Wilmington was notified a week ago that it would shut down at noon today. – Advertisement – As of…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The school year will last a little longer than originally planned in New Hanover County next spring. Last night the school board voted to approve several changes to the 2018-2019 school calendars. The district says the changes were needed due to instruction time lost due to Hurricane Florence. – Advertisement – After getting feedback from parents and teachers, the board approved adding five instructional days…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Eight weeks to the day since Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, the American Red Cross hopes to close its last two emergency shelters Friday. Red Cross Cape Fear Director James Jarvis said 39 people stayed in the Wilmington shelter last night, while 14 more were in a shelter in New Bern. Jarvis said the goal is to close both shelters by 1 p.m….

11/8/18– The Wilmington City Council approved another $4.5 million toward Hurricane Florence recovery.That brings the total amount spent by the city to $22 million.Most of that has gone toward collecting debris.It also includes repairing city buildings and paying overtime to those who worked during and after the storm.

11/8/18– New Hanover County Schools will end the school year five days later–thanks to missed class time from Hurricane Florence.The school board rejected a plan to make up time by adding minutes to the school day.Instead–the school year has been extended to June 13th.

Coroner identifies two patients killed after transport van drives through flood waters. (Photo: WPDE) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The Latest on state Senate hearings into the drowning of two mental health patients during Hurricane Florence (all times local): 11:15 a.m. – Advertisement – An attorney for the family of one of the two South Carolina mental health patients who drowned in the back of a police van says one door was blocked and the other…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Say thank you to first responders at Wrightsville Beach at a fundraiser Thursday night. LM Restaurants is bringing together food, drinks and crowds of people to help those who helped residents during Hurricane Florence. – Advertisement – Lisa Weeks with the Wrightsville Beach Foundation says the money will be distributed to the emergency needs of town employees impacted by the storm, and equipment and…

The city has designated $22 million to be spent on hurricane recovery. WILMINGTON — The cost for the City of Wilmington’s hurricane recovery continues to climb. During its meeting Wednesday, council approved allocating $4.5 million from the city’s debt service fund to help with Hurricane Florence recovery efforts. The vote brings the city’s total allocation on Florence recovery efforts to $22 million, with $19 expected to be used on debris removal and monitoring, $2.3 million…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Robeson County, NC on Sept. 27, 2018 after getting hit by Hurricane Florence. (Photo: Rodd Baxley) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina woman whose home suffered hurricane damage for the second time in two years is planning repairs with her lottery winnings. North Carolina lottery officials said Shirley Tolson will use the nearly $106,000 she pocketed from a scratch-off prize for repairs after her roof and chimney were…

Regional Economist Adam Jones from UNCW at Outlook Economic Conference 2018 (Photo: Hannah Patrick/WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Florence will impact Wilmington’s economy, but not for long, according to experts at the Outlook Economic Conference in Wilmington this morning. Community leaders listened to several presentations on the local and national economies right now based on Hurricane Florence and the mid-term elections. – Advertisement – Regional Economist Adam Jones from UNCW’s Swain Center said Wilmington’s…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Flooding in Hurricane Florence (Photo: WTVD) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s official death toll from Hurricane Florence is now 41, after a man whose home was damaged by two hurricanes in the past three years took his own life. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner added the 69-year-old Robeson County man to the Florence death count last week. He died Oct. 22, more than a month after…