At Least Four Deaths Attributed To Hurricane Florence

I’ve been through my share of hurricanes, so no. I don’t think people who choose to stay home are “crazy.” If you’re more inland and not under a mandatory evacuation order and know how to take care of yourself and your family, go for it. My family has never evacuated for a storm. We’ve never been under a MANDATORY evacuation order, and my dad is basically a prepper, so it’s never been much of an issue. If a Cat 4 or 5 hit us directly (which has never happened), then we would likely leave. We’re not stupid. This is my position: As long as you’re not putting yourself, family members or emergency responders in unnecessary danger, stay.

That being said, we’re just starting to see reports of Hurricane Florence-related casualties.

At least four people have lost their lives, including a mother and her baby.

Wilmington Police reported on Twitter that a tree fell on a house on Mercer Avenue, killing the pair around 9:30 a.m. The father was pulled from the home and transported to a local hospital with injuries, police said.

A third person died in Pender County’s Hampstead community, according to Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins told WWAY. NBC news reports the woman called for help, but died of a heart attack because emergency crews were unable to reach her due to trees that had fallen in the road.

WECT also reported downed trees kept emergency vehicles from getting to the woman before she died.

A fourth person was killed in Lenoir County while plugging in a generator, according to a press release from Gov. Roy Cooper.

Ugh. This is so sad.

“Our hearts go out to the families of those who died in this storm,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “Hurricane Florence is going to continue its violent grind across our state for days. Be extremely careful and stay alert.”

Be careful, everyone. This isn’t over.

h/t Charlotte Observer