Local

Brunswick County’s Board of Education is split into five districts.  Two of them have contests this year.  In District 5, John Thompson lost his primary to Republican Jerry Benton.  Now this political newcomer battles Democratic Challenger Joanne Levitan in November.

Hurricane Florence barreled into the Cape Fear region less than one month ago.  Now, the remnants of Michael are bringing more wind, rain, and possible flooding to southeastern North Carolina.

Representative Frank Iler has served North Carolina’s House District 17 for four-and-a-half terms; he is now seeking his fifth.  The district includes most of Brunswick County – about 72% of it.  The remainder of Brunswick County joins about a quarter of neighboring New Hanover County to make up House District 18 – which is served by Democratic Representative Deb Butler. 

On Wednesday morning, Oct. 10, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Board of Directors will meet. They will likely decide whether to go forward with a $46 million dollar expansion. It would include new filtration systems to eliminate GenX and other perfluorinated compounds from the drinking water. 

The voter registration deadline for 28 counties in North Carolina is now extended because of impacts from Hurricane Florence.  New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow Counties, as well as 24 other affected areas, now have until 5 PM October 15th to register.  The deadline had been Friday, October 12th. 

New Hanover County’s Board of Education has four open seats this year.  Eight people, four Democrats and four Republicans, are competing for those seats – which carry four-year terms.

The death toll in North Carolina from Hurricane Florence currently stands at 39. In New Hanover County, an 85-year old man died from an infected cut after cleaning storm debris. Much of the storm-related pollution, and risk for infection, is in the water.

Wilmington City Council members approved $9 million to fund Hurricane Florence recovery and clean-up. But officials say they’ll need more – possibly $11 million.

It’s been almost three weeks since Hurricane Florence slammed into the Cape Fear region. And during these last few weeks, thousands of residents and small business owners have been trying to put their lives back together. They have had some help. Such as the Disaster Recovery Center at Independence Mall.

U.S. Geological Survey crews are in the field around Wilmington, gathering information to document the depth and extent of flooding brought by Hurricane Florence’s rains and storm surge. 

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Wilmington.  UPDATE: The center will open Sept. 28, at Independence Mall.      

This week the flood waters from Hurricane Florence should begin receding. Those waters contain more waste today than they did two weeks ago. Some of that waste could create environmental problems.

The sound of generators and sirens is being replaced by the sound of chainsaws in the cape fear region. Local businesses are starting to distribute relief supplies to local residents. As WHQR's Vince Winkel reports, a variety of local establishments are playing a role.  

Points of Distribution around New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender Counties are providing food, water, and tarps to people in need.  Armies of volunteers, law enforcement agencies, and military groups are working together to keep the lines moving.  But one neighborhood in Wilmington has launched its own rescue effort.

Wednesday is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. But Hurricane Florence has forced synagogues in Wilmington to cancel services. The sanctuaries at Both Temple of Israel and B'nai Israel were damaged in the storm.

Finding food can be a challenge during the days after a hurricane.  Starting today, a national organization has set up camp in Wilmington, to feed the community. They will be preparing tens of thousands of meals. WHQR’s Vince Winkel reports. 

Food and water is being flown into the Cape Fear region. Slowly more stores and gas stations are opening. Food trucks are also out and about, cooking what they have, and tring to make a dent in the need for food. 

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo gives an update on roads, power and cleanup efforts on Tuesday afternoon while exploring the downtown area. 

Gov. Roy Cooper and FEMA chief Brock Long visited Wilmington Tuesday to view storm damage and meet out-of-state emergency workers camped at Independence Mall.

Power is still out and most stores are still closed in parts of southeastern North Carolina hardest hit by Hurricane Florence. Emergency food distributions have begun in several counties, including New Hanover.

Businesses are slowly and carefully starting to open.  At Costco in Wilmington, which opened for just a few hours yesterday, shoppers went in 200 at a time.  A few grocery stores and some restaurants opened their doors around Leland and Wilmington.  

Flooding will affect the Cape Fear region at least through this week, but the rainfall will be the least of it.

First, the good news:  the Cape Fear region has seen the majority of the rain from Florence. 

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo speaks with WHQR late Sunday afternoon as he explores downtown Wilmington to speak with residents and business owners.