Tropical Storm Archives - Page 3 of 7

Harris rips Trump for his criticism of federal storm response and calls for ‘dignity’

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House are criticizing Donald Trump for his attacks on the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton and suggesting he is wrongly trying to turn the deadly storms to his political advantage. Attending a town hall sponsored by Univision in Las Vegas, Harris said, “I have to stress that this is not a time for people to play politics.” Those comments came after the former president spoke at the Detroit Economic Club, saying the Biden administration’s response had been lacking, particularly in North Carolina after Helene. “They’ve let those people suffer unjustly,” said Trump, who has for several days promoted falsehoods about the federal response.… Continue Reading

In remote mountain communities cut off by Helene, communities look to the skies for aid

RAMSEYTOWN, N.C. (AP) — National Guard members who deployed to western North Carolina are still carrying out aid missions nearly two weeks after Hurricane Helene. Much of their humanitarian work involves delivering aid or checking in with mountain communities cut off from the outside world by storm-damaged roads. Priorities for those in impacted areas are beginning to shift as temperatures are expected to drop next week. That leaves National Guard members to adjust the supplies as fall weather cools. Meanwhile, their day-to-day missions change often as they field requests from those in need in remote communities.… Continue Reading

Trump offers prayers for people in hurricane’s path after lashing out at Harris and other women

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump offered his prayers to those in the path of Hurricane Milton as it lashed Florida while continuing to insult his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other women. “I don’t want to be nice,” Trump said at a Pennsylvania rally. “You know, somebody said, ‘You should be nicer. Women won’t like it.’ I said, ‘I don’t care.’” Trump was holding a pair of rallies as another hurricane threatened to overshadow the presidential campaign with fears that it would cause catastrophic damage in Tampa and other parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Harris was to fly to Nevada later Wednesday for a western campaign swing, but first attended a federal storm briefing.… Continue Reading

How Waffle House helps Southerners — and FEMA — judge a storm’s severity

For some residents of storm-prone Southeastern states, the best indicator of a hurricane’s severity can be found at the local Waffle House. If the Georgia-based restaurant chain stays open in town, neighbors are reassured that the coming storm is unlikely to cause devastation. A closed location of the dependable diner chain has come to indicate impending disaster. What might sound like silly logic has become one of the most reliable ways for Southerners and even federal officials to gauge a storm’s severity and identify communities most in need of immediate aid. The Waffle House Index was created by a federal emergency management official and is still used today.… Continue Reading

Tampa Bay hasn’t been hit directly by a major hurricane since 1921. Milton may be the one

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Fearful Florida residents are streaming out of the Tampa Bay region ahead of what could be a once-in-a-century direct hit from Hurricane Milton. Crews are working furiously to prevent furniture, appliances and other waterlogged wreckage from Florida’s last big storm from becoming deadly projectiles in this one. The preparations marked the last chance for millions of people in the Tampa metro area to prepare for lethal storm surges, ferocious winds and possible tornadoes in a place that has narrowly avoided a head-on blow from a major storm for generations.… Continue Reading

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