Storm Archives - WPTF-AM

Supplies arrive by plane and by mule in North Carolina as Helene’s death toll tops 130

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The death toll after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast has reached at least 133. A crisis is unfolding in the mountains of western North Carolina, where water, food and other supplies are being airlifted into places cut off by mudslides and washed-out roads. Officials worry the death toll will rise further as searchers reach isolated areas. Nearly three dozen people have died in the county that includes the tourism hub of Asheville. The city’s water system has been severely damaged. Forecasters are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Kirk, which is expected to become a powerful Atlantic hurricane this week.… Continue Reading

At least 56 dead and millions without power after Helene moves across the Southeast

PERRY, Fla. (AP) — Massive rains brought by Hurricane Helene have left many people stranded or homeless as the cleanup begins from the monster tempest that killed at least 56 people. Helene has caused billions of dollars in destruction across a wide swath of the southeast U.S. More than 3 million customers were without power Saturday, and some face a continued threat of floods. Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday and then quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams. Deaths from the storm have occurred in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.… Continue Reading

Torrential rains flood North Carolina mountains and create risk of dam failure

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Days of torrential rain in North Carolina culminating with tropical downpours from what was Hurricane Helene have officials keeping a close eye on a major dam. More than a foot of rain has fallen across much of the region in the past several days. The two main interstates in the mountains have closed. Crews have conducted 100 swiftwater rescues as of Friday morning. Officials in Rutherford County were warning residents who live on nearly 30 roads below Lake Lure Dam to evacuate immediately because water was coming over the top of the dam. Winds gusted to 108 mph atop Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.… Continue Reading

Helene makes landfall in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane

CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Helene has made landfall in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm as forecasters warn of “catastrophic” flooding along the Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center says Helene came ashore Thursday evening in the Big Bend area of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Officials have forecast storm surges of up to 20 feet and warned they could be particularly “catastrophic and unsurvivable” in Florida’s Apalachee Bay. Hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings extend far beyond the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina. The governors of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia have all declared emergencies in their states.… Continue Reading

Governor Cooper declares State of Emergency as Hurricane Helene approaches North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency today as North Carolina braces for the arrival of Hurricane Helene, which is expected to bring life-threatening conditions to the state through Saturday morning. The declaration activates the National Guard and deploys swift-water rescue teams in preparation for the storm. Hurricane Helene is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds, particularly in the mountains and Piedmont regions. Widespread power outages and tornadoes are also possible, according to weather officials.… Continue Reading

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a hurricane. Florida residents begin evacuating

Florida residents are already evacuating and filling sandbags days ahead of anticipated flooding from Tropical Storm Helene. Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea, is expected to cross the Gulf of Mexico and could strengthen into a major hurricane. Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Cuba, Mexico and part of the Florida coastline, including Tampa Bay. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of the Florida Keys. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane Wednesday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in dozens of counties ahead of the storm’s arrival as soon as late Thursday.… Continue Reading

80-year-old man found dead after driving around roadblock into high water

SUPPLY, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s highway patrol says an 80-year-old man was found dead after he drove around a roadblock into high water. The highway patrol responded shortly after midnight Tuesday to a report of a submerged vehicle on state Route 211 in Brunswick County. Sheriff’s Office vehicles were stopped in the road with their lights activated aiming to prevent cars from entering a flooded area. But the highway patrol says Richard Robinson drove around them. The vehicle became completely submerged and a responding swift water rescue team wasn’t able to find it. A dive team later found the vehicle and Robinson dead inside.… Continue Reading