NBC News reports a young TikTok star from North Carolina has died at the age of 16.

Joshua Blackledge, who died March 18, was known for creating car content on TikTok and had more than 1 million followers, according to NBC News. The cause of his death was not shared.

The teenager was a junior at West Carteret High School in Morehead City and loved wrestling, track, the outdoors, fishing, boating, cars and trucks, according to his obituary, which reads:

“At home, Joshua liked helping his mom with cooking, gardening, and yard work. He had an energetic spirit and was known for his entertaining nature, often impressing others with backflips. Joshua will be remembered by those who knew him for his enthusiasm and love for life. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.”

Joshua is survived by his parents and brother. A celebration of life was held last week in Newport. 

The Carteret County Public School Foundation posted on Facebook:

“We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love and support you’ve shown to Josh Blackledge’s family during this difficult time. Your kindness is truly making a difference.

As the family prepares to privately lay Josh to rest, they are deeply aware of the collective grief and affection from all of you. In honor of his vibrant spirit, they invite all friends, loved ones, and schoolmates to join in a Celebration of Life to remember and celebrate the incredible impact he had on so many.”

Add one more name to the list of high school recruits scheduled to visit Clemson on Saturday.

2027 three-star EDGE Xavier Perkins (C.E. Jordan, Durham, NC) will be on hand for the Tigers’ junior day.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound recruit is fresh off a visit to Duke, with the Blue Devils already having offered. North Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida State and Virginia Tech have also offered. Clemson won’t start offering players in the 2027 class until the summer.

As a sophomore, Perkins was credited with 34 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and 21 quarterback hurries.

POLK COUNTY, N.C. – The fight against destructive wildfires tearing through North Carolina is being significantly hampered by Hurricane Helene’s lingering devastation, officials revealed, calling the situation “an absolute travesty.” 

EVACUATIONS EXPAND IN CAROLINAS AS WILDFIRES RAGE IN HURRICANE HELENE-RAVAGED AREAS

Footage posted by Greenville Water shows the scene at Table Rock Reservoir in South Carolina.

(Greenville Water)

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The powerful storm, which swept through the region in late September, left behind a trail of destruction that is now proving to be a major obstacle in containing the blazes that have consumed over 6,000 acres in the state.

As evacuation orders remain in place for several neighborhoods, the stark reality of the intertwined disasters is becoming increasingly clear, North Carolina Forest Service Supervisor Nicholas Hoffmann said.

A “Home Sweet Home” sign is seen outside a home that was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 2025, in Columbus, North Carolina.

(Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

“It is an absolute travesty that it’s happened,” he emphasized. “And the Helene damage is actually one of the biggest contributing factors to the difficulty in fighting this fire because of all the damage, the landslides, the lack of access that it has created … in addition to the steep, steep terrain and the high winds we’re having right now.”

Fire officials are now grappling with a two-layered crisis.

FOX Weather meteorologists spent weeks on the ground in North Carolina following Helene, and their reports painted a stark picture of the sheer volume of fallen trees and debris that would dry out and become potent fuel, increasing the fire risk.

“You have thousands of trees that are just lying in the forest that have been drying up over the last couple of months, and it’s a tinderbox,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said. “These are hard areas to access. That’s what made it so challenging with Helene and the response efforts, and they’re still trying to rebuild. Now, they have a second natural disaster pretty much on their hands.”

The destructive power of wildfires in Polk County has become evident after 11 homes were destroyed on Tuesday.

Officials report that the Black Cove Fire, which was started by a downed power line, has burned over 3,000 acres and remains uncontained. The nearby Deep Woods Fire has also consumed nearly 3,000 acres with no containment. The smaller Fish Hook Fire is partially contained, but the situation led to the evacuation of 165 homes by Tuesday evening.

The Deep Woods Fire is seen on March 23, 2025, in Columbus, North Carolina.

(Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

By Tuesday evening, emergency management officials in Henderson County had mandated evacuations for the Summer Haven community and four other neighborhoods. An additional dozen nearby communities were also under pre-evacuation advisories.

NEW WILDFIRE NEARLY TRAPS DEPUTIES SEARCHING FOR HIKER MISSING WEEKS IN SOUTH CAROLINA WILDERNESS

Smoke from the Black Cove Fire in Polk County, North Carolina, was seen wafting skyward on Sunday. This video, shared to X by Grant Finch, captures the massive smoke cloud as seen from Peter Guice Bridge.

Simultaneously, South Carolina also issued evacuation orders Tuesday evening in Greenville and Pickens counties due to the Persimmon Ridge Fire, which is part of the larger Table Rock Fire Complex. 

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said that good progress was made in battling the blaze on Tuesday, but later, “wind gusts dramatically increased fire activity.”

The Table Rock Fire has burned over 2,200 acres, and the Persimmon Ridge Fire has charred about 1,000 acres. Both are at 0% containment.