MONDAY TOGETHER WITH YOU

Good morning Wilmington!

It's becoming increasingly difficult to get clear information about what's happening in Western North Carolina. While we can access statements from Twitter/X and other online sources, the problem is that these sources often contradict each other. This makes fact-checking essential.

The stories coming out are both heartbreaking and frustrating. The situation has gotten so complicated that FEMA added a Helene Rumors page to their website, though it's unclear how much that improves their credibility. Fortunately, many individuals and businesses have stepped in to assist, and as communication infrastructure improves, we're hearing more firsthand accounts from locals. Twitter/X, in particular, is proving to be a valuable platform for tracking progress in #WesternNC.

What began as a disturbance in the Gulf, Hurricane Milton is expected to become a major cat 4 storm making landfall on the western side of Florida by Wednesday afternoon.

Governor Ron DeSantis declares a state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm MIlton’s landfall and issues evacuation orders in some FL counties. Meanwhile, parts of Florida need to prepare for Milton while still recovering from Helene.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• General Assembly Prepares First Round of Hurricane Helene Relief

• North Carolina Faces Voting Challenges After Helene’s Destruction

• Natasha Tew heads to Western North Carolina

General Assembly Prepares First Round of Hurricane Helene Relief

[WWAY] North Carolina's General Assembly leaders are preparing to approve initial disaster relief for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. As damage assessments continue, the legislature is expected to allocate funds next week, offering flexibility for affected agencies and displaced residents. Election law changes and additional relief may also follow as the state addresses urgent needs.

Read More »

North Carolina Faces Voting Challenges After Helene’s Destruction

[Grist] After Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction in North Carolina, state officials are scrambling to restore voting access. Flooded roads, damaged infrastructure, and mail disruptions in Western NC complicate efforts, with Election Day just weeks away. With absentee ballots delayed and many polling places destroyed, election officials are working to ensure all voters can participate despite the challenges.

Read More »

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Natasha Tew heads to Western North Carolina

I stopped by Ogden Tap Room and met Natasha Tew who is running for New Hanover School Board. She was stocking up a U-Haul full of supplies to take to Western North Carolina.

Natasha posted this before heading out:
We filled this truck yesterday with supplies the good people of New Hanover County and Pender county donated to the victims of Hurricane Helene. Thank you all so much. 

We left this morning at 3am headed to Western NC. We had to go down through South Carolina and back up due to so many roads being destroyed.

Please pray for North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Pray for America.

We wish her a safe trip I will let you know how things are going as I hear.

News Roundup

Local News:

• MegaCorp loads trucks full of supplies to help people impacted by Helene

• American Red Cross urges people to give monetary donations for Hurricane Helene victims

What you should know:

• House Judiciary Committee publishes report on border failures

• Israel prepares 'significant' retaliatory strike to Iran's missile barrage

• Three Pending Supreme Court Rulings That May Change America

What might surprise you

• Cuban/Haitian entrants & refugees are eligible for FEMA disaster assistance

National & World News:

• FEMA whistleblowers allege agency misappropriated funds amid Hurricane Helene disaster

• Man kills ‘extremely aggressive’ mountain lion with shovel in Colorado

• Hillary Clinton said Saturday that social media companies must moderate content on their platforms or else “we lose total control.”

• Pro-Palestine protester sets himself on FIRE outside the White House

• A frontier flight 1326 caught on fire during a hard emergency landing causing its brakes to burst in flames

• President Biden appeared in the White House press briefing room for the first time since taking office on January 20, 2021

• Donald Trump campaigns back in Butler, PA where an attempt was made on his life–Musk makes a surprise visit

• US lets Starlink provide direct-to-cell coverage for hurricane-hit areas

To-Do!

✅ Check and see if you are owed money

Weather Forecast

Mon 07 Mostly Sunny | 82°/64° | 5% | SW 7 mph
Tue 08 Mostly Sunny | 76°/62° | 15% | NE 12 mph
Wed 09 Partly Cloudy | 74°/62° | 3% | NE 14 mph

Provided by weather.com

Tide Forecast

Mon Oct 7
4:15am: 0.76 ft (Low Tide)
10:57am: 4.42 ft (High Tide)
5:02pm: 1.01 ft (Low Tide)
11:10pm: 3.45 ft (High Tide)

Tue Oct 8
4:50am: 0.90 ft (Low Tide)
11:44am: 4.37 ft (High Tide)
5:54pm: 1.18 ft (Low Tide)
11:57pm: 3.36 ft (High Tide)

Wed Oct 9
5:36am: 1.02 ft (Low Tide)
12:34pm: 4.36 ft (High Tide)
7:02pm: 1.25 ft (Low Tide)

Provided by Marineweather.net