Wilmington North Carolina News

The Savannah Inn in Carolina Beach to fully reopen after nearly a year and a half of Hurricane Florence recovery (photo: WWAY) CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Savannah Inn in Carolina Beach has almost fully recovered from damage sustained during Hurricane Florence. As of Wednesday, repairs are nearly completed. – Advertisement – Inn Manager Brittany Francis says it’s been a tough journey. “It hasn’t been easy, but it’s getting easier day by day,” Francis…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — As the world watches devastating wildfires blaze across Australia, there’s been an outpouring of donations to aid relief efforts. NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall urges North Carolina’s giving public to be both generous and wise to make sure their donations do the most good possible. – Advertisement – “We’ve all been moved by the heartbreaking images coming out of Australia,” Secretary Marshall said…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter (ABC News) — The wildfires in Australia have destroyed millions of acres of land, killed at least two dozen people so far and left thousands more people and animals in danger. The overwhelming images of the land under siege have led to support from people around the world. – Advertisement – Social media has played a big role in corralling that help, with celebrities and influencers sharing how they are donating. Singer Pink…

Crews are starting the paving project Friday. (Photo: Monique Robinson/WWAY) SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — It’s been a long road to post-Florence recovery in Surf City and one of the last steps in the rebuild is getting the roads repaired. “We took a hit and we’ve recovered and this is kind of one of those last things that we’re trying to do in the recovery mode,” Chad Merritt, the maintenance and streets director, said. –…

Australian wildfire (Photo: NSW Rural Fire Service/MGN) Perth, Australia (CBS NEWS) — Australia deployed military ships and aircraft Wednesday to help communities ravaged by apocalyptic wildfires that destroyed homes and sent thousands of residents and holidaymakers fleeing to the shoreline. Navy ships and military aircraft were bringing water, food and fuel to towns where supplies were depleted and roads were cut off by the fires. Since Monday, seven people have died as destructive wildfires tore through communities…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter PERTH, AUSTRALIA (AP) — Wildfires burning across Australia’s two most populous states have trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions, destroyed many properties and caused at least two fatalities. About 4,000 people fled to the waterfront of a southeastern town as winds pushed an emergency-level wildfire towards their homes. – Advertisement – The town of Mallacoota was shrouded in darkness from the smoke before turning an unnerving…

The Riggs family weren’t home when a century-old tree fell through through roof during the hurricane WILMINGTON — The family photos are stacked on the kitchen table. The Christmas ornaments are boxed away beside the front door. The manufacturer stickers are still stuck to new windows out front. For the Riggs family, their home is a work in progress, but they are finally back in it for the first time since Hurricane Florence dropped a…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter [embedded content] WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington began work this week on another major project to repair stormwater drainage pipes damaged during Hurricane Florence. Failures to underground pipes during Florence’s torrential rains have caused cave-ins on city streets at more than 70 locations throughout the city. The project started on Shirley Road and work at all locations is expected to be completed within six months. Shirley…

David Burnette (Photo: NC Education Lottery) EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY) — A major jackpot, $340 million, is up for grabs in Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing, but don’t throw away your ticket if you don’t win the jackpot, it could still be worth a lot of money. David Burnette of Newport found that out when he won a $50,000 Mega Millions prize in last Friday’s drawing. He said he plans to repair the damage Hurricane…

A family is getting help from ReBuild NC to repair damage from Hurricane Matthew and Florence. (Photo: Kylie Jones/WWAY) COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A long awaited gift came just in time for Christmas for one family. They lost their home not once, but twice when Hurricane Matthew hit, then Florence. On Thursday, Governor Roy Cooper stopped by to check out the progress in Whiteville. – Advertisement – Between flooding to pipes bursting, the Settle…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Gov. Cooper in Columbus County in Oct. 2018 (Photo: WWAY) COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WAWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper will be in the Cape Fear Thursday afternoon. He plans to visit a home in Whiteville severely damaged by a recent hurricane. – Advertisement – The home is undergoing renovations with money from a Community Development Block Grant. WWAY’s Kylie Jones will have more tonight on WWAY News at 5. SHARE…

FEMA (Photo: MGN Online) BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two more North Carolina counties, including Bladen County, are eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance to supplement state and local Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts. FEMA Public Assistance funding is now available to local governments, state agencies and certain private nonprofits in Bladen and Chowan counties if they were affected by Hurricane Dorian beginning Sept. 1-9. – Advertisement – The two additions bring the total to…

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s Giving Tuesday and Bank of America is writing a hefty check to Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity. The non-profit’s executive director, Steve Spain, says the $200,000 comes at the right time. Spain says this money will help jump start their new efficiency cottage program, which is geared towards helping families that lived in mobile homes severely damaged by Hurricane Florence. He adds this program is a smaller version of their…

COLUMBUS COUNTY (WWAY) — A holiday tradition in our area is making a big comeback this year. It is called the Tabor City Nativity and Christmas Expo. Hurricanes Matthew and Florence caused $20,000 worth of damages to the store. – Advertisement – Now, it is back in business. From the outside looking in, you’d never think there could be so many depictions of the birth of Jesus Christ. Owner Rodney Gore says he is proud…