Wilmington North Carolina News

Over 400 volunteers helped clean houses damaged by Florence. (Source: WECT) LELAND, NC (WECT) – More than 400 volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse helped clean or gut homes in Leland’s Stoney Creek Plantation that were damaged by Hurricane Florence.  Samaritan’s Purse is an organization that helps with relief efforts. One Stoney Creek homeowner came home to four feet of water in his house, which had to be completely gutted.  With nothing left to give, he feels overwhelmed…

World Central Kitchen, the aid organization founded by Andrés, has worked with thousands of area chefs and volunteers to make 150,000 hot meals for first responders and those affected by Hurricane Florence. Even those who don’t know culinary celebrities might be familiar with chef José Andrés’ efforts to feed people in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. “I remember seeing that and thinking I’d love to help,” said Christi Ferretti of Pine Valley Market in Wilmington….

One of the bands at the Hurricane Relief Concert. (Source: WECT) WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A Wilmington woman, Anna Mann organized a benefit concert to raise funds and donations for people affected by Hurricane Florence. The concert is being held Sunday at Bottega in downtown Wilmington. It starts at noon and lasts until 8 p.m.  All proceeds from the concert will benefit Mutual Aid Disaster Relief. They will then send the supplies to Dreams of Wilmington…

CALABASH, NC (WECT) – By Randi Hildreth Hundreds of people are trying to get home to a community in Brunswick County after a second evacuation. Members of the Brunswick Plantation community evacuated for Hurricane Florence, came back after the storm and were then forced to leave again after water from the Caw Caw Swamp rose.  “To me, the water is the scariest thing because it has no end,” said Brunswick Plantation resident Sandra Schroeder. “It…

Cape Fear River to approach record levels due to Hurricane Florence. U.S. 17 remains ‘only safe route’ into town. WILMINGTON — Brent Garlington shook his head while standing on Market Street looking out toward the Cape Fear River on Sunday morning. In front of him, parts of Water Street were already nearly a foot underwater as flooding from Hurricane Florence made its way to Wilmington. “I just wanted to see how bad it was,” said…

WECT will host a telethon Thursday to benefit disaster relief efforts from Hurricane Florence. (Source: WECT) WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – WECT will host a telethon Thursday to benefit disaster relief efforts from Hurricane Florence. 100 percent of the monies raised Thursday will go to the American Red Cross. 91 percent of the money given to the Red Cross will be used to help victims of Hurricane Florence. The WECT telethon will start Thursday at 6…

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – WECT will host a telethon Thursday to benefit disaster relief efforts from Hurricane Florence. All of the money raised Thursday will go to the American Red Cross and 91 percent of the money given to the Red Cross will be used to help victims of Hurricane Florence. “Financial donations raised in the WECT #CapeFearStong Fund Drive for Hurricane Florence will help people affected by this devastating storm,” said James Jarvis, executive…

The storm surge of Hurricane Florence came ashore in Carolina Beach earlier this month. (Source: WECT) WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Sea level rise since 1970 contributed to thousands of additional homes being affected by the storm surge of Hurricane Florence earlier this month, according to a study released Monday morning from a national non-profit group.  Scientists with the First Street Foundation estimate an additional 11,000 homes felt the effects of the storm surge, compared to…

Sunday morning worship looks different for churchgoers in Spring Lake as they figure out what to do about storm damage.

Governor Roy Cooper visited Brunswick County to discuss relief operations. (Photo: Kylie Jones/WWAY) BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper rallied around the Cape Fear communities Saturday. He says they are still in the search and rescue phase, and that they have a long road ahead. Governor Cooper has a lot of faith in these communities. During his visit to Brunswick and Columbus counties, he said that without the endless work of…

Up and down the coast, beaches see significant erosion, even though worst-case scenarios didn’t materialize. On the north end of Carolina Beach, wooden staircases that once led from beach houses to the strand itself now give way to several feet of air, a result of Hurricane Florence’s battering waves eroding the beach. “We ended up losing significant portions of the beach, 10- to 12-foot escarpments in some places,” said Michael Cramer, Carolina Beach’s town manager,…

One of the participants at the YMCA’s family fun day (Source: WECT) WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – After being cooped up in their homes or shelters, or just returning to town after evacuating, the YMCA of Southeastern NC provided sense of normalcy to the community by hosting a family field day Saturday. Kids and families were invited to come out for some pick-up soccer and flag football. They also hosted family basketball in their gym. Their…

One of the participants at the YMCA’s family fun day (Source: WECT) WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – After being cooped up in their homes or shelters or just returning to town after evacuating, families at the YMCA of Southeastern NC tried to get a sense of normalcy at a family field day Saturday. Kids and families were invited to come out for some pick-up soccer and flag football and family basketball games took place in the Y’s…

Topsail beach resident finds his home damaged. (Source: WECT) TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (WECT) – Returning to southeastern North Carolina is difficult enough with many roadways still under water, but not knowing if the homes they left are habitable can double the frustration and unease for many residents after Hurricane Florence. Coming over the bridge into Topsail Beach, it doesn’t look like the area was hit too hard, but when you go on the beach, it’s…