FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — First responders are making special preparations in Cumberland County and Fayetteville ahead of the severe weather coming Friday. Manager of the 911 Call Center Lisa Reid said her department is bringing extra staff and equipment to make sure residents’ emergency calls are answered. “Whenever a hurricane is headed toward us. It doesn’t really matter if it’s a Category 1 or Category 5. We prepare the same way,” Reid said. Reid said…

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Triangle is under a tropical storm warning and level 1 risk for severe storms, including a medium risk of power outages. Raleigh city officials have crews to do their part to minimize hazards around construction sites and new developments. Officials say now is the time to double down on safety – and that means properly securing materials and equipment that could pose dangers. “Help them understand what we would expect for…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Central North Carolina residents are struggling to make contact with Ian victims and worry how loved ones are surviving in current conditions. “They are without power, and there’s a lot of flooding,” Lumberton resident Nicole Palmer said. Her family has one relative in Orlando as well as a friend in Sarasota. Thankfully, both are doing alright, but she said it hasn’t been easy getting them on the line for updates. “(The…

RALEIGH, N.C. — A Baptist church is opening its doors Friday night for people experiencing homelessness as Hurricane Ian moves toward the Carolinas. Pullen Memorial Baptist Church at 1801 Hillsborough St. plans to open its doors at 4 p.m. Friday and people can stay until 8 a.m. Saturday. St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church is leading the effort. The church is expected to provide staffing and volunteers. Pastor Vance Haywood said he’s worked with Pullen Memorial…

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Ian’s devastation began to come into focus a day after making landfall in Florida as one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. Click here for live radar and the latest forecast on Ian’s path. The storm flooded homes on both the state’s coasts, cut off the only bridge to a barrier island, destroyed a historic waterfront pier and knocked out electricity to 2.67 million Florida homes and businesses….

PUNTA GORDA, FLA. — Rescue crews piloted boats and waded through flooded streets Thursday to save thousands of Floridians trapped after Hurricane Ian destroyed homes and businesses and left millions in the dark. The destruction began to come into focus a day after Ian made landfall in Florida as one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. The storm flooded homes on both of the state’s coasts, cut off the only bridge to…

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is bracing for impacts from Tropical Storm Ian as the storm’s remnants are expected to enter the state Thursday night. Thursday, Sept. 29 2 p.m. Tropical Storm Ian update Eastern counties are under a Level 2 risk for severe storms for Friday, while Wake County is now included in a Level 1 risk. The Triangle is under a Tropical Storm Warning, and schools systems are starting to report closings or…