First responders share tips for staying safe in a hurricane (and when not to call 911)

First responders share tips for staying safe in a hurricane (and when not to call 911)

By Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter Raleigh, N.C. — Imagine being at home for five days straight with no power, no way to get anywhere in a car and no store nearby to get supplies. How would you prepare for that, and what supplies would you gather ahead of time? That’s what local emergency officials want you to imagine so you can prepare for Hurricane Florence. WRAL News interviewed local EMS and 911 center leaders…

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Nonprofit founded by Chef Jose Andres helping feed Wilmington during Florence

Nonprofit founded by Chef Jose Andres helping feed Wilmington during Florence

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – During the tense and trying days during and after Hurricane Florence, one group is looking to provide Wilmington with something that can raise any spirit: a hot meal. World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit founded by Chef Jose Andres, came to the area to provide free meals for first responders, shelters and anyone else that needs food during and after the storm. “We are fully up and running,” WCK Executive Director Nate…

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ICE won’t arrest or detain evacuees in the Carolinas escaping from Hurricane Florence

ICE won’t arrest or detain evacuees in the Carolinas escaping from Hurricane Florence

Immigrants in North Carolina and South Carolina shouldn’t worry about being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as they evacuate their homes or at the emergency shelters, an ICE spokesperson said Wednesday. Bryan Cox, spokesperson for ICE in the southern region, said everyone should follow local evacuation orders during Hurricane Florence. “Our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety,” Cox said in an email. “In consideration of these circumstances, there will be…

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Got flood insurance? Thousands of homeowners in Hurricane Florence’s path do not

Got flood insurance? Thousands of homeowners in Hurricane Florence’s path do not

Thousands of homeowners in inland North and South Carolina stand to be inundated by Hurricane Florence’s drenching over the next few days, but hardly any of them carry federal flood insurance, leaving them at risk of a devastating loss, with little prospect of help from the federal government. A McClatchy analysis of federal data shows that in the coastal counties, a relatively high percentage of households carry flood insurance policies, but the percentage drops off…

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Charlotte Braces for Hurricane Florence

Charlotte Braces for Hurricane Florence

As the city of Charlotte is bracing for Florence, the State and City Departments of Transportation are clearing up storm drains and preparing roads.  Extended rainfall and strong winds could mean disaster for state highways and local roads, N.C. Department of Transportation’s  Jen Thompson said. “The potential could be there for roads to flood,” Thompson said. “The potential is there for trees to fall across the roads, as well.” The Charlotte Department of Transportation regularly…

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Hurricane Florence storm surge closes NC 12, part of US 70

Hurricane Florence storm surge closes NC 12, part of US 70

The storm surge from Hurricane Florence has begun to make some highways impassable in Eastern North Carolina. N.C. 12 is closed on Hatteras Island, and parts of U.S. 70 are shut down between Beaufort and Atlantic, as floodwaters covered the pavement in numerous places, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. NCDOT said many secondary roads in Carteret County also are overtopped with water and that conditions were expected to get worse through the evening….

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I’m ready for Hurricane Florence. Now I’m worried about this kitten.

I’m ready for Hurricane Florence. Now I’m worried about this kitten.

This isn’t my first ride through a hurricane. I’m going to be fine. It’s this kitten that adopted me several weeks ago that I’m worried about. My neighbor moved to New Orleans a couple of months ago and left it behind. The poor baby doesn’t appear to have a feral bone in its body. Confused by the abandonment, my neighbor and I both tried to ignore the thing’s pitiful cries for food and comfort outside…

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After Florence, barrier islands still doomed by rising sea

After Florence, barrier islands still doomed by rising sea

By MICHAEL BIESECKER and JONATHAN DREW, Associated Press NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. (AP) — Richard Barnett spent his week boarding up the windows of million-dollar homes perched precariously at the northern tip of Topsail Island, a narrow spit of North Carolina ringed with sandbags to offer some armor against the pounding surf. – Advertisement – A local handyman, he knew some of those houses might not be there next week. “When Fran came, it tore…

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Historic river flooding expected from Florence

Historic river flooding expected from Florence

Record flooding is likely by Tuesday along the Northeast Cape Fear River in Burgaw. (Source: WECT) Major flooding is likely by Sunday along the Lumber River in Lumberton. (Source: WECT) Moderate flooding is likely by Tuesday along the Cape Fear River in Elizabethtown. (Source: WECT) Southeastern North Carolina is expected to get anywhere from 12 to 24 inches and locally higher amounts of rain over the next several days which will cause major to historic river flooding across…

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RIVER FLOODING: Florence to rewrite records

RIVER FLOODING: Florence to rewrite records

Florence looks to rewrite the record books in terms of flooding in the Lower Cape Fear Region. (Source: WECT) Rainfall of one to two and locally three feet from Hurricane Florence will bring extensive, long-lasting, and in some cases record-setting river flooding across southeastern North Carolina. As feared, flooding will occur in some areas that have never had flooding before.   HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE LARGER, WELL-MODELED RIVERS… WE KNOW LESS ABOUT…

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RIVER FLOODING: Florence rewriting records

RIVER FLOODING: Florence rewriting records

Rainfall of one to two and locally three feet from Hurricane Florence continues to bring extensive, long-lasting, and in some cases record-setting river flooding across southeastern North Carolina. As feared, flooding is occurring in some areas that have never had flooding before.   HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE LARGER, WELL-MODELED RIVERS… WE KNOW LESS ABOUT THE MANY SMALLER RIVERS AND STREAMS, BUT… rainfall tallies and other storm-related and pre-existing conditions suggest flooding will assume…

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More than 181,000 in NC without power as massive storm Florence nears land

More than 181,000 in NC without power as massive storm Florence nears land

Hurricane Florence wasn’t expected to make landfall until Friday morning, but residents in coastal areas were already losing power as fierce gusts lashed the eastern edge of North Carolina. More than 181,000 residents and businesses, mostly in eastern counties, were without power as of 11:30 p.m., according to online updates from Duke Energy, the N.C. Electric Cooperatives and smaller utility companies. The surge in power outages along the coast was the result of gusts coming…

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Hurricane Florence: Save and print these emergency numbers

Hurricane Florence: Save and print these emergency numbers

Here’s where to go for help during Hurricane Florence: ▪ To report a power outage or a power line problem, call Duke Energy at 800-POWER-ON (800-419-6356). Espanol: 866-4APAGON ▪ To request help from the fire department, police or MEDIC, dial 911. Also call 911 if you find a tree or limb blocking a street. ▪ If you smell natural gas or have a natural gas emergency, call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504. ▪ To call…

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