Tag Archives: Disaster Relief

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — After Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, the sound coming from open car windows as residents gathered on a street at the top of a ridge trying to get cell service last fall was Blue Ridge Public Radio. And as they stood in line for water or food, the latest news they had heard on the station was a frequent topic of conversation. Now, public radio stations are being targeted for cuts by President Donald Trump, who this week signed an executive order aimed at slashing public subsidies to NPR and PBS, alleging “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting.… Continue Reading

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For hundreds of communities nationwide, plans to protect against natural disasters and climate change have been upended because of the Trump administration’s elimination of a federal grant program. Scrapped projects include relocating flood-damaged homes in Pennsylvania, protecting businesses from stormwater in North Carolina, and safeguarding water supply lines in Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley. The grants have been panned by the Republican White House as wasteful political spending. But those grants were seen by local officials and residents as a vital use of government resources to protect lives, infrastructure and economies with smart investments upfront.… Continue Reading

North Carolina budget plan advances as Senate Republicans double down on tax cuts

North Carolina budget plan advances as Senate Republicans double down on tax cuts

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Senate Republicans have advanced a two-year budget for the ninth-largest state. The proposal that received initial Senate approval on Wednesday spends less than what the new Democratic governor requested and doubles down on already enacted income tax cuts. Gov. Josh Stein’s budget pitch sought to spend roughly $1 billion more each year than what the Senate decided in part by halting broad tax rate cuts. But GOP senators are content with their spending, taxes and cost-cutting. The Senate bill locates another $1.3 billion for Hurricane Helene aid and seeks to eliminate hundreds of vacant state positions. The House will soon pass a competing measure.… Continue Reading

Roof collapse at Dominican club kills at least 113 as officials scramble to identify victims

Roof collapse at Dominican club kills at least 113 as officials scramble to identify victims

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people’s drinks. Minutes later, the entire roof collapsed. Concrete slabs killed more than 113 people and trapped dozens of others on a dancefloor where hundreds had been dancing to a lively merengue concert early Tuesday. More than 255 people were injured, authorities said. The victims include merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who had been singing to the crowd before disaster struck, said emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.… Continue Reading

What you do before and during a tornado could mean the difference between life and death

What you do before and during a tornado could mean the difference between life and death

ATLANTA (AP) — Experts say planning before a tornado threatens is key for staying safe. Weather radios, basements and bicycle helmets can all help save lives. Rick Smith of the National Weather Service says a weather radio is something that every home and business should have. There are also other ways of getting warnings, such as a cellphone app. Experts say having multiple, redundant warning methods is important. Smith advises people to seek shelter underground if possible. And recent research shows that closing your exterior and interior doors can be a good strategy to alleviate the high winds somewhat. That’s the opposite of the commonly held misconception that you’re supposed to open things up equalize the air pressure.… Continue Reading

Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 3,145 as more bodies found

Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 3,145 as more bodies found

BANGKOK (AP) — The death toll from the earthquake that hit Myanmar nearly a week ago has risen to 3,145 as search and rescue teams find more bodies. State television reported Thursday that the information minister also said that another 4,589 people were injured and 221 are missing. The 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28 had an epicenter near Myanmar’s second-largest city of Mandalay. It brought down thousands of buildings, buckled roads and destroyed bridges. Local media reports of casualties have been much higher than the official figures. The numbers could rise sharply as more details come in.… Continue Reading

Smell of death permeates Myanmar cities after quake kills over 1,600 and leaves countless buried

Smell of death permeates Myanmar cities after quake kills over 1,600 and leaves countless buried

MANDALAY, Myanmar (AP) — The smell of decaying bodies permeated the streets of Myanmar’s second-largest city on Sunday as people worked frantically by hand to clear rubble in the hope of finding someone still alive, two days after a massive earthquake struck that killed more than 1,600 people and left countless others buried. The 7.7 magnitude quake hit midday Friday with an epicenter near Mandalay, bringing down scores of buildings and damaging other infrastructure like the city’s airport. Relief efforts have been hampered by buckled roads, downed bridges, spotty communications and the challenges of operating in a country in the midst of a civil war.… Continue Reading

Myanmar’s earthquake death toll jumps to 1,644 as more bodies are recovered from the rubble

Myanmar’s earthquake death toll jumps to 1,644 as more bodies are recovered from the rubble

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s ruling military has said on state television that the confirmed death toll from a devastating earthquake rose to1,644. Saturday’s new total is a sharp rise compared to the 1,002 total announced just hours earlier. It underlines the difficulty of confirming casualties over a widespread region and the likelihood that the numbers will continue to grow from Friday’s quake. Rescue efforts are underway especially in the major stricken cities of Mandalay and Naypyitaw. Teams and equipment have been flown in from other nations. But they are hindered by the airports in those cities being damaged and apparently unfit to land planes.… Continue Reading

First rain and then fire chase people from their homes in North and South Carolina

First rain and then fire chase people from their homes in North and South Carolina

At least a half-dozen large wildfires continue to burn in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina and North Carolina. Nicole Taylor had to leave her home with the porch that overlooks Table Rock Mountain in South Carolina. She took video of the smoke pouring off the ridge until an evacuation order came Tuesday. She says she doesn’t know when she can go home. So far no one has been hurt in the fires that have burned more than 20 square miles of mostly rugged remote forests. The firefighting is slow. Water sources are scarce, so crews depend on building fire breaks.… Continue Reading

More evacuations as wildfires burn in the Carolinas. Forecasts aren’t encouraging for firefighters

More evacuations as wildfires burn in the Carolinas. Forecasts aren’t encouraging for firefighters

More people have been asked to leave their homes in the North Carolina and South Carolina mountains as wildfires spread and the forecast for the rest of the week isn’t encouraging. A half-dozen large fires are burning in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Millions of fallen trees from September’s Hurricane Helene are both providing fuel for the wildfires and blocking the logging roads and paths firefighters use to fight the blazes and create fire breaks. The forecast for this week is dry and windy. There’s a chance of rain over the weekend, but forecasters say it isn’t likely to be the kind of downpour that can knock a fire out on its own.… Continue Reading

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