Trump Issues Medals for Hurricane Florence

CourtJester · Sep 10, 2018

Not yet but given the record in Puerto Rico not an impossible thought.

waltky · Sep 12, 2018

What You Need to Know If You're in the Path of Hurricane Florence...

What You Need to Know If You're in the Path of Hurricane Florence
12 Sep 2018 - If you live on the east coast anywhere between New Jersey and Georgia you probably have heard there is a storm coming. You may have ventured out to the store and seen the shelves of bread and water bare, you may have put up sandbags around your house and packed an emergency kit, all good things.

What about your family who was told to evacuate, your GI Bill payments for the school you just started, your VA audiology appointment, your prescription refills, your doctor appointment to get that sports physical for the kids, oh and yeah what about that Navy E-5 advancement exam you were supposed to take the day before the hurricane hits? Not to worry, we have all the info here.

Family Evacuation

As of this writing, five military bases have received evacuation orders:

Joint Base Charleston

Joint Base Langley-Eustis

MCAS Beaufort

NAS Oceana-Dam Neck

MCRD Parris Island

If you have been issued an evacuation order take it and get out of town. The military will pay you and your family to leave. Normally you are authorized to move not more than 400 miles away from your station, or to a designated evacuation location. The military will pay you and your family to travel round-trip to your evacuation location and for your meals and lodging while you are evacuated. If you haven't received an evacuation order you travel at your own expense. We have more details here.

GI Bill Benefits During and After Natural Disasters

Although the VA hasn't said anything yet, the law is specific on what will happen to your GI Bill benefits. If your school is temporarily closed due to Hurricane Florence, VA will consider your attendance as continuous and your payment won't be affected. This means that you will continue to get your housing allowance even if you can't attend classes. Veterans using the Montgomery GI Bill must verify their attendance online like normal to receive payment. Of course, this comes with some fine print. If you are enrolled, and the school hasn't sent your enrollment to the VA yet, you are out of luck. You won't get any money until classes resume. Also, if the school remains open, or opens later but you can't attend due to hurricane related issues, you won't get any GI Bill payments.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
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See also:

These Military Bases Are Evacuating Now as Hurricane Florence Bears Down
11 Sep 2018 - Tens of thousands of troops, their families and recruits started evacuating at least five military bases Tuesday.

Updated Sept. 12

Tens of thousands of troops, their families and recruits are evacuating at least five military bases Tuesday as millions have been told to get out of Hurricane Florence's path, which could cause widespread devastation. Florence is expected to make landfall Thursday night, and government leaders from the Carolinas up to Maryland have already declared states of emergency. While the storm has weakened slightly, the National Hurricane Center is warning that it could still pick up speed, making it one of the strongest hurricanes facing North and South Carolina in decades. The Virginia National Guard is planning to activate up to 1,500 troops for possible assistance during the hurricane, and Gov. Ralph Northam has authorized another 6,000 to remain on standby.

Recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island prepare to evacuate to Marine Corps Logistic Base Albany following an evacuation order directed by Brig. Gen. James Glynn, the depot’s commanding general.

Two Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews flew to Savannah, Georgia, on Wednesday in preparation for Hurricane Florence response efforts. The service has also moved some of its cutters, aircraft and other assets out of the storm's path and warned the public that Coasties might not be available to respond during or immediately after the storm. Military bases from Virginia down to South Carolina fall in the evacuation zones and, so far, five commanders have ordered service members and their families to prepare to leave their homes. Here's a look at the bases affected so far, and which installations could be next.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina

Recruits at the fabled training depot just north of Hilton Head will begin relocating at noon Tuesday to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany in Georgia, where they will continue their training. "I have determined the safest course of action is to evacuate," Brig. Gen. James Glynn, Parris Island's commanding general, said Monday. Charlie Company, which is expected to graduate this week, will be moved to Albany, where it will hold its ceremony. Family is not permitted to attend, but Glynn said the event will be streamed on Parris Island's website and social media channels.

Non-essential military personnel and civilian employees have been directed to move at least 100 miles to safety, but no more than 400. They'll be reimbursed for authorized evacuation expenses, including tolls and lodging, and are directed to remain in those locations until their chains of command instruct them to return. The evacuation order also applies to Marine recruiting offices in the area that will be affected by the storm.

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina
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waltky · Sep 13, 2018

Granny says, "Dat's right - it's a dangerous storm...

Hurricane Florence could kill 'a lot of people'
13 Sept.`18 - Hurricane Florence, which is nearing the US East Coast, could kill "a lot of people", officials warn.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) administrator Brock Long said storm surges may bring catastrophic flooding to inland areas. Though Florence has been downgraded to a category two storm with 105mph (165km/h) winds, Mr Long said it remained "very dangerous". He said "feet of rain not inches" would drench the Carolinas and Virginia.

Why isn't the downgraded storm less of a threat?

Mr Long told Thursday morning's news conference that while Florence's wind speed had dipped, its wind field had expanded and total rainfall predictions were unchanged. Floodwaters may rise up to 13ft (4m) as rivers see their flows "reversed", meteorologists have warned. "So this is a very dangerous storm," said Mr Long. "Inland flooding kills a lot of people unfortunately and that's what we're about to see." He warned that the deluge would begin within a matter of hours. "Your time is running out," he said. "The ocean is going to start rising." "Your time to get out of those areas in storm surge inundation is coming to a close. I cannot emphasise that enough." He said that people living near rivers, streams and lowland areas in the region were most at risk.

What's the situation on the ground?
Tropical-storm strength winds and heavy rains have already begun lashing North Carolina's Outer Banks barrier islands. Florence is still 110 miles from the state and is not projected to make landfall until Friday at 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT). The latest weather predictions show the storm slowing to a near standstill as it pummels the coast with "copious amounts of rain" from Thursday night to Saturday, said Mr Long. Parts of the Carolina coast are expecting 20-30 (50-75cm) inches of rain, with isolated regions seeing up to 40in of downpour. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is imposing a 12-hour curfew from 19:00 local time on Thursday. Nearly 1.7 million people have been ordered to evacuate the coastline of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

More than 10 million Americans live in places currently under storm warnings. Petrol stations in the area are reporting shortages and energy companies predict that one to three million homes and businesses may lose power. Over 1,400 flights have been cancelled, according to FlightAware.com, as most of the coastal region's airports are closed to ride out the storm. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned people: "Today the threat becomes a reality." Emergency workers are arriving from other parts of the US to aid in rescues. The Coast Guard has shallow water response boats ready to help trapped residents.

Is global warming to blame?
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See also:

Hurricane Florence: Your guide to the story
13 Sept.`18 - You may have heard about Hurricane Florence, the storm careering towards the US east coast prompting warnings of an impending disaster.

But what makes Florence so different from other storms this year? From Beryl, Chris, and Debby? We've pulled together some of the key elements that explain why officials are so worried, and what damage Florence could cause.

One video to watch

The storm's winds may have weakened in recent days - they are now at 110mph (175km/h) - but there are fears Florence's slow-moving nature could bring different problems. Forecasters say it could slow dramatically when it nears land and then linger until Saturday, moving unpredictably along the coast and bringing torrential rain. Up to 1.7 million people have been ordered to evacuate across South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. A further 10 million people are now under some form of storm watch. So how are these people preparing? We spoke to those braced for Florence's looming arrival.

One striking picture

Hurricane Florence seen off the US east coast in the Atlantic Ocean

This satellite image of Florence hurtling towards the east coast on Wednesday gives a sense of its massive scale. A National Weather Service forecaster has said it will be the "storm of a lifetime" for parts of the Carolina coast. One emergency official said it will be a "Mike Tyson punch" to the area. There will be hurricane-force winds up to 80 miles from the centre of the storm, meteorologists say. Some forecasters have predicted it could be the most powerful storm ever to hit the region.

One big number

[center][/center]

Florence could do more than $170bn (£130bn) of damage and affect nearly 759,000 homes and businesses, says analytics firm CoreLogic. Energy companies have also warned that the storm could knock out power for the foreseeable future in some areas. "This is no ordinary storm, and people could be without power for a very long time - not days but weeks," a president of one energy company in North Carolina said on Wednesday.

One bit of context
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waltky · Sep 15, 2018

Police arrest 5 in North Carolina as looters begin to capitalize on Florence chaos...

Police arrest 5 in North Carolina as looters begin to capitalize on Florence chaos
15 Sept.`18 - Police in North Carolina arrested five people Saturday night as looters began to break into stores while Tropical Storm Florence brought chaos to the region. Wilmington Police confirmed the arrests on Twitter but did not immediately release the identities of the five individuals.

NEWS ALERT - Moments ago officers arrested five individuals who broke in and looted the Dollar General at 5th & Dawson Streets. Charges are pending and those details will be released as they become available.

— Wilmington Police (@WilmingtonPD) September 15, 2018
“Charges are pending and those details will be released as they become available,” police said.

Authorities said about 1:30 p.m. they became aware of looting taking place at the Dollar General on 5th and Dawson Streets but were initially asked by management “not to intervene at this time.”

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: @WilmingtonPD has alerted for some looting happening in #Wilmington including at this Family Dollar Store at 13th & Greenfield Sts. We just passed by and shot some video pic.twitter.com/N9CtN7RVtv

— Marta Dhanis (@MartaDhanis) September 15, 2018
They later said on Twitter that they were working to identify the thieves and would "will charge them to the fullest extent of the law.”

In response to looting reports, the city of Wilmington extended its curfew for the affected area. A tweet spelled out the particulars:

In response to looting in the area, an extended curfew is now in place for the block between 13th, 14th, Greenfield and Martin Streets. This curfew went into effect at 5 pm and will remain in effect until 6 am. The citywide curfew will run from 10 pm until 6 am.

— Wilmington NC (@CityofWilm) September 15, 2018
"In response to looting in the area, an extended curfew is now in place for the block between 13th, 14th, Greenfield and Martin Streets. This curfew went into effect at 5 pm and will remain in effect until 6 am. The citywide curfew will run from 10 pm until 6 am."

The National Hurricane Center said on Saturday afternoon that “catastrophic flooding” is expected in certain parts of the Carolinas as Florence remained stationary over the region. At least 11 deaths have been linked to Flo so far.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/09/1...rs-begin-to-capitalize-on-florence-chaos.html
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waltky · Sep 16, 2018

Florence death toll rises to 14 in Carolinas...

Florence death toll rises to 14 in Carolinas
Sept. 15, 2018
- One day after Hurricane Florence slammed into North Carolina, at least 14 people have died, nearly 1 million are without power and hundreds have been rescued from rising waters.

In North Carolina on Friday, five people were reported killed, including a mother and baby in Wilmington after a tree fell on a house, killing the pair around 9:30 a.m. The father, who was was pulled from the home, was transported to a local hospital with injuries, police said. Another of the deaths occurred in Lenoir County, when a 78-year-old man was plugging in a generator, according to WNCN-TV, trying to connect two extension cords outside in the rain. A fourth death was a 77-year-old Kinston man, who family members said died at 8 a.m. Friday when he was "blown down by the wind" while tending dogs.

INTF-1, (Indiana Task Force), Indiana Urban Search and Rescue team stop at a local gas station to fill up during tropical storm Florence September 15, 2018 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
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In Pender County, a woman called for help, but died of a heart attack because emergency crews couldn't reach her due to trees that had fallen in the road. On Saturday afternoon, two unidentified people were reported dead in North Carolina's Duplin County that were "due to flash flooding and swift water on roadways, according to the county's emergency management. An 81-year-old man died after hitting his head while trying to evacuate in Wayne County and a husband and wife died in a storm-related house fire in Cumberland County.

Cars sit abandoned on a street during Tropical Storm Florence on Saturday in Wilmington, N.C.

On Saturday, the first fatality in South Carolina was reported: a 61-year-old woman who was killed when her car hit a tree that fell in Union County on Friday night, WYFF-TV reported. Three died in Duplin County "due to flash flooding and swift water on roadways," the sheriff's office announced. The Horry County Coroner's Office confirmed two people died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator. As a tropical storm, Florence is moving at 2 mph -- about as fast as someone could walk, the National Hurricane Center said in an update Saturday. The storm has moved about 100 miles since making landfall -- about 4 mph on average -- as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, creeped from North Carolina to South Carolina.

https://cdnph.upi.com/svc/sv/upi/7881537019186/2018/4/d64ca7278ad0769529c3b2b952009cf4/Florence-death-toll-rises-to-14-in-Carolinas.jpg[/img[B]]
Massive tree limbs extend from the corner of the house where a tree fell and trapped a family, killing the mother and 8-month-old baby during Hurricane Florence, now Tropical Storm Florence, on Saturdsay in Wilmington, N.C.[/center][/B][/B]
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On [URL='https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-approves-north-carolina-disaster-declaration-2/']Saturday morning[/URL], President [URL='https://www.upi.com/topic/Donald_Trump/?tps=1']Donald Trump[/URL] approved a disaster declaration for eight North Carolina counties. Federal funding can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses as well as other aid both for homeowners and business owners. "We in North Carolina have been through tough storms and this one is sure testing us," North Carolina Gov. [URL='https://www.upi.com/topic/Roy_Cooper/?tps=1']Roy Cooper[/URL] said at a news conference late Saturday morning. "But now is the time for us to persevere. I have never known North Carolinians to quit in the face of a challenge and we're not about to start."
[/B]
[B][url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/09/15/Florence-death-toll-rises-to-14-in-Carolinas/7881537019186/]MORE[/url][/quote][/B][/SIZE]
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waltky · Sep 18, 2018

Hurricane Florence death toll rises to 32 as flooding continues...

Florence death toll rises to 32 as flooding continues
18 September 2018 - As flooding continues to inundate North Carolina, the death toll from Florence has risen to at least 32, with 25 deaths confirmed in North Carolina.

The state's governor, Roy Cooper, said on Monday that the "epic storm" was still an immediate danger as rivers reach major flood levels. The coastal city of Wilmington became an island amid heavy floods following the storm. Officials have warned evacuated residents to stay away. At a news conference on Monday, Gov Cooper said "catastrophic flooding and tornados are still claiming lives and property" across the state. "For many parts of North Carolina the danger is still immediate," he said. "Some areas have not seen the worst flooding yet. This is a monumental disaster for our state."

An initial estimate from Moody's Analytics puts the cost of Florence between $17bn (£13bn) and $22bn, making the storm one of the 10 costliest hurricanes in US history, according to NPR. Most of the monetary damage is due to property loss, and the company said these figures could rise as inland flooding continues. In Wilmington, with its population of about 120,000, some 400 people have had to be rescued from flood waters, and most of the city remains without power. The governor said that 23 truckloads of supplies were able to make it into Wilmington this morning, though officials are uncertain whether the single road into the city will remain functional as rivers continue to flood.

The National Weather Service has warned of at least two further days of possible flash flooding in the area before conditions are forecast to improve. "Do not come here," New Hanover County Commission Chair man Woody White said. "We want you home, but you can't come yet." A city-wide curfew has been extended after five people were arrested on suspicion of looting from a store on Saturday. The area is usually best known as a filming location for US dramas One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek, and as the childhood home of US basketball legend Michael Jordan.

What's the latest on the storm?

Florence has now weakened to a tropical depression with winds of 30mph (45km/h), according to the National Hurricane Centre. Some parts of the Carolinas have seen up to 40in (100cm) of rain since Thursday. On Monday, the National Weather Service announced that the Cape Fear River near Fayetteville, North Carolina, is expected to reach the major flood stage - levels over 60ft (18m) - by this evening. There were several tornado warnings across North Carolina on Monday morning. One twister touched down in Elm City, causing some damage to buildings and power lines, according to local media reports. In Richmond, Virginia, one person died in a tornado on Monday afternoon as Florence began making its way north.

Officials in North Carolina say some 900 people have been rescued from floodwaters by the US Coast Guard and volunteers, and about 14,000 people are still in emergency shelters. US President Donald Trump - who may visit North Carolina in the coming days - has declared a disaster in several North Carolina counties, freeing up federal funding for recovery efforts. Gov Cooper said he has been in touch with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who visited North Carolina on Monday. "We know that we're going to need significant federal resources, and they have promised them across the board," Gov Cooper said on Monday of Fema and DHS. Power companies are working to restore power to the nearly half a million homes and businesses in both states that are still without electricity. The storm has begun to move into Virginia and West Virginia, and is expected to turn toward New England on Tuesday.

What do we know of the victims?
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Trump Issues Medals for Hurricane Florence

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Trump Issues Medals for Hurricane Florence

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