Tropical Storm Archives - Page 3 of 7

This camp provides a safe space for kids to learn and play after Hurricane Helene

BREVARD, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene flooded the Weissmans’ home last month. They need to chase down private insurance claims and fill out federal aid applications. But their priority is their children. Schools have been closed since the storm and on Monday morning, Max Weissman took his son Avi and his daughter Reyna to a free, pop-up day camp where dozens of kids were making bracelets, drawing, and playing oversized games of Jenga and Connect Four in a large playroom. The camp is hosted by the L.A.-based nonprofit Project:Camp. As storms become more frequent and severe, the organization is increasingly traveling to disaster-affected communities to set up spaces where kids can process the disruption and devastation of a disaster while their parents start the long recovery process.… Continue Reading

As FEMA prepares for Hurricane Milton, it battles rumors surrounding Helene recovery

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been fighting misinformation since Helene slammed into Florida nearly two weeks ago. The false claims are being fueled by former President Donald Trump and others just ahead of the presidential election, and are coming as the agency is gearing up to respond to a second major disaster. Hurricane Milton is set to strike Florida on Wednesday. The FEMA administrator told reporters Tuesday that she’s never seen the disinformation problem as bad as it’s been with Helene. A county official in North Carolina says part of the problem is that affected regions have been largely without phone lines and internet, so outside voices have an easier time setting the narrative.… Continue Reading

Want to follow election results like a pro? Here’s what to watch in key states

WASHINGTON (AP) — As thousands of counties and towns report vote totals, it can be hard to figure out when the results reported so far will reflect the outcome. The first report of the night might show a massive lead for one candidate, but why does that lead dwindle in some races but grow in others? What’s the difference between a “mirage” and a real outcome? Past elections can provide a guide. They show that mail-in votes in recent elections have leaned heavily toward Democrats — and that in some states, counties report those ballots first. That can create a so-called “blue mirage” in races that end up being only narrow victories for Democrats or even substantial victories for Republicans.… Continue Reading

FEMA administrator continues pushback against false claims as Helene death toll hits 230

LAKE LURE, N.C. (AP) — The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is again forcefully pushing back against false claims and conspiracy theories about how her agency is responding to Hurricane Helene. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell appeared Monday in Asheville, North Carolina, to assure residents that the government is ready to help. Misinformation has spread over the past week in communities hit the hardest. Former President Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans have questioned FEMA’s response and falsely claimed that its funding is going to migrants or foreign wars. The death toll from Helene has risen to at least 230.… Continue Reading

North Carolina residents impacted by Helene likely to see some voting changes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina State Board of Elections has unanimously passed an emergency resolution to make several voting changes in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. The board is made up of both Democrats and Republicans. The resolution passed Monday includes changes for 13 affected counties in western North Carolina such as allowing absentee ballots to be dropped off at Election Day polling places by 7:30 p.m. It also lets impacted voters pick up absentee ballots in-person until the day before the election. County election boards may also make changes to where early voting and Election Day polling places are located.… Continue Reading

Hurricane Milton is a Category 5. Florida orders evacuations and scrambles to clear Helene’s debris

BELLEAIR BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Milton has become a Category 5 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Florida’s west coast. Milton’s growth Monday sets the stage for a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline. Milton’s center could come ashore Wednesday in the Tampa area, and it could remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean. It is threatening Florida less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene caused deaths and catastrophic damage in that state and well inland.… Continue Reading

Voters in North Carolina and Georgia have bigger problems than politics. Helene changed everything

VILAS, N.C. (AP) — Residents in North Carolina’s Watauga County are focused on survival rather than politics after Hurricane Helene ravaged much of the western part of the state. The storm and the destruction that followed came only weeks before the president election. And North Carolina is one of the most important swing states. But the race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris has taken a back seat as North Carolinians try to find loved ones who are missing and try to rebuild their homes and their lives. That hasn’t stopped the candidates from making frequent stops in North Carolina and neighboring Georgia in the storm’s aftermath.… Continue Reading

Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico and could intensify to hurricane threatening Florida

MIAMI (AP) — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center said early Sunday that Milton was about 355 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 845 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. The storm could strengthen into a hurricane and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of the western coast of Florida. Hurricane and storm surge watches are likely to be issued Sunday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of the storm’s potential landfall. Many counties are still recovering from Hurricane Helene and DeSantis has asked Florida state agencies to supplement communities as they expedite debris removal.… Continue Reading

Red Cross deploys more than 600 volunteers to aid disaster relief in western North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — As the aftermath of devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene continues to affect western North Carolina, more than 600 volunteers from across the country have mobilized to provide critical disaster relief. Heather Frazee, Executive Director of the American Red Cross’ Piedmont Triad Chapter, recently told Carolina Newsmakers host Don Curtis that the immediate focus of the relief operations is providing shelter, food, and basic necessities to those displaced by the flooding. Frazee also noted the challenging terrain in the mountains, compounded by road closures and dangerous conditions, which has made rescue and relief efforts more complex.… Continue Reading

Mexican immigrant families plagued by grief, questions after plant workers swept away by Helene

ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) — Hurricane Helene left a devastating mark on the small Latino community that makes up a disproportionate number of workers at a plastics factory in Erwin, Tennessee. Six of its workers were swept away, four of them Mexican Americans. Loved ones and supporters have been gathering for vigils in front of churches, a high school and a grocery store to honor those lost. They question why Impact Plastics workers weren’t told to leave the job sooner. Company President Gerald O’Connor says no employees were forced to keep working. He says they were evacuated at least 45 minutes before the massive force of the flood hit the industrial park.… Continue Reading