South
Rescue missions underway in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene brings ‘historic’ flooding, landslides
Rescue efforts are underway across western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented flooding and landslides to the region over the weekend.
Deanne Criswell, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator, described the catastrophic flooding as “historic” during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.
“I don’t know that anybody could be fully prepared for the amount of flooding and landslides that they are experiencing right now,” Criswell said. “But we have had teams in there for several days where we’re sending more search and rescue teams in there.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said during a press conference on Sunday that the death toll of 11 was expected to rise as search teams reached areas left isolated from the storm.
HURRICANE HELENE: FOX WEATHER METEOROLOGIST RESCUES WOMAN FROM CAR DURING LIVE SHOT AS FLOODWATERS RISE
The banks of the Swannanoa river overflowed following Hurricane Helene on Friday in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
“This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” Cooper said, adding “we know there will be more” deaths.
Cooper asked residents to avoid traveling on roadways in western North Carolina to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Emergency personnel watch as floodwaters rise Friday in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
More than 50 search teams have fanned out across the region in search of stranded people.
“Many people are cut off because the roads are impassable,” the governor said.
VIDEOS: HURRICANE HELENE PRODUCES RECORD STORM SURGE ALONG FLORIDA’S GULF COAST
Supplies were being airlifted to the region around Asheville, a popular tourist city in the western North Carolina mountains.
A man walks near a flooded area near the Swannanoa river on Friday in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Criswell said that water is “a big concern right now” as recovery efforts continue.
“We have sent bottled water in, but we also have the Army Corps of Engineers that’s getting ready to start assessments today to see what we can do to help get those water systems back online quickly,” she said. “And we’re also moving in, satellite communications, Starlink satellites into the area to help facilitate the lack of communication that that part of the state is experiencing.”
When asked about climate change and the storm’s impact, Criswell said that the storm intensified quickly due to warmer water temperatures.
“It’s creating more storms that are reaching this major category level than we’ve seen in the past,” she said. “It’s also creating greater amounts of storm surge in the coastal areas. It’s creating greater amounts of rainfall, as it moves up north.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“And so in the past, when we would look at damage from hurricanes, it was primarily wind damage with some water damage,” Criswell continued. “But now we’re seeing so much more water damage. And I think that is a result of the warm waters, which is a result of climate change.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
One of the most highly touted offensive line prospects in the 2027 recruiting class has recently announced their college commitment.
As the summer months begin in the college football offseason, recruiting efforts and momentum around programs are higher than ever as coaches look to add as many talented players as they can to their upcoming recruiting classes.
With so much happening in the next few weeks, many prospects are beginning to shut down their recruitments and make their commitments known. The latest player to do so is offensive lineman Mark Matthews, one of the highest ranked players in the 2027 class.
According to 247Sports, Matthews stands at just over 6-foot-5 and weighs 300 pounds. The offensive lineman has been heavily recruited by programs such as Miami, Georgia, and Texas A&M, as well as many other notable programs.
Despite the efforts of many, Matthews elected to announce his commitment to Mike Elko and the Texas A&M Aggies. His decision is a massive victory on the recruiting trail for A&M and will likely have immediate benefits once he arrives on campus next fall.
What Mark Matthews’ Commitment Means for the Georgia Bulldogs
Offensive line prospects are always a major commodity for the Bulldogs, no matter the class. While the Dawgs put forth massive efforts in Matthews’ recruitment, the staff seems to have fallen just short of adding a massive piece.
While this outcome is certainly disappointing, the Bulldogs still have a handful of extremely talented offensive line prospects currently committed. The Dawgs are also set to host their annual “scavenger hunt” recruiting trip this weekend, which will almost certainly lead to some commitments.
As the summer months continue, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs’ staff will be diligently working to add as many talented players as possible to their 2027 recruiting class. The Dawgs typically pick up momentum during this time of year, and will likely have a handful of commitments in the following weeks.
Georgia Football 2027 Recruiting Class:
- Kemon Spell, RB
- Jaxon Dollar, TE
- Kelsey Adams, OT
- Ty Johnson, OT
- Abraham Eisenhower, OL
- Noah Parker, RB
- Temorris Campbell Jr., LB
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Fitness3 minutes ago‘I’m a neuroscientist – these are the 3 best workouts for slowing cognitive decline’
-
Movie Reviews15 minutes agoKaruppu (Veerabhadrudu) Movie Review – Gulte
-
World27 minutes ago
Supreme Court rejects Virginia’s bid to restore congressional map favoring Democrats
-
News33 minutes agoTop Drug Regulator Is Fired From the F.D.A.
-
Politics39 minutes agoVideo: Why Were These C.E.O.s in Beijing With Trump?
-
Business45 minutes agoWhat Trump Gained, and Didn’t, From China
-
Health57 minutes agoMicro-Walking Plan for Weight Loss: Harvard Doctor Calls It a ‘Wonder Drug’
-
Culture1 hour agoEllen Burstyn on Her Favorite Books and Her Love of Poetry