We’re also following strong winds, heavy rain and possible hail tomorrow. Plus, how you can better stop thieves from stealing money and gift cards from your mailboxes and how much closer DPS employees are to seeing a salary increase. Watch WRAL NEWS at 11 and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 11 : Strong winds, heavy rain, possible hail ⛈️ Who has the best chance for storms tomorrow

Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools' ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday.

Higher employee pay will be key to running Wake schools smoothly, superintendent says

Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks to the League fo Women Voters of Wake County, April 18, 2024

Compared to pre-pandemic prices, ground beef is up 35%, chips are up 45%, bread is up 57% and a 12-ounce can of soda is up 66%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks trends on common grocery store items.

WRAL Investigates: 'Greedflation' and other drivers behind inflation at the grocery store

A look at inflation at the grocery store

Here are five things to know Thursday about Florence's aftermath.

1. With Cape Fear River crested, what's next for residents?

Many people in Fayetteville and Cumberland County are feeling a sense of relief now that the Cape Fear River has crested and is receding.

Emmy Victor

Mark Olexik

Jessica Patrick

Now that the Cape Fear River has crested, what's next for Fayetteville?

Interstate 40 and Interstate 95, which have been plagued by flooding in the wake of Hurricane Florence, will remain closed for at least another week, state Transportation Secretary Jim Trogdon said Thursday.



Brian Shrader

Matthew Burns

Natalie Matthews

DOT chief: I-40, I-95 to remain closed for another week or more

3. Residents return to storm damage in Harnett County

Floodwaters are finally receding in Harnett County, but destruction remains.

Adam Owens

Terry Cantrell

Roads reopen but devastation remains in Harnett County

Roads reopen but devastation remains in Harmett County

4. WRAL, Salvation Army, Red Cross and the food bank are asking for your donations to help our neighbors clean up.

North Carolina's long Atlantic coast has a history of weathering and withstanding hurricanes, but high winds and storm surge can do damage even inland when the conditions are right. After the storm, it is natural to want to help our neighbors. Whether you need help or want to give help, this is your guide.

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="image-17845842"}}</div>

<p>North Carolina's long Atlantic coast has a history of weathering and withstanding hurricanes, but high winds and storm surge can do damage even inland when the conditions are right. After the storm, it is natural to want to help our neighbors. Whether you need help or want to give help, this is your guide.</p>

<p><a id="help" name="help"></a>{{cprop name="embed"}}</p>

<h2>Give help after a hurricane</h2>

<h3><strong>DONATE TO HELP OTHERS</strong></h3>

<p>Donations – by credit card, check or cash – are always the most efficient way to make sure that relief agencies on the scene of a crisis are able to purchase and distribute any necessary items.</p>

<p>The United Way of North Carolina has set up the {{a href="external_link-12586752"}}UWHelpsNC relief fund{{/a}} to support the immediate and short-term unmet needs for those impacted by Hurricane Dorian.</p>

<h4>Ways to give:</h4>

<p>Go to <strong>United Way of North Carolina</strong>’s {{a href="external_link-12586752"}}UWHelpsNC to donate{{/a}} from a mobile phone, tablet or computer</p>

<p>Text UWHELPSNC to 41444 to make a donation</p>

<p>Send a check to United Way of North Carolina's office at:<br>
1130 Kildaire Farm Road<br>
Suite 100<br>
Cary NC 27511</p>

<div class="dembed">{{oembed url="https://vimeo.com/287073847/d47d7720a0"}}</div>

<p><strong>Other trusted ways to give:</strong></p>

<p>Secure contributions can be made to the {{a href="external_link-17840853"}}North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund{{/a}}.</p>

<p>If you are unable to give online, you may mail your contribution to:<br>
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund<br>
20312 Mail Service Center<br>
Raleigh, NC 27699</p>

<p>If you prefer to donate goods to your local charity, the most needed items are cleaning supplies and non-perishable food.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="document-17848734"}}</div>

<p>The {{a href="external_link-16921862"}}Salvation Army{{/a}} is providing relief assistance in FLA, GA and the Carolinas.</p>

<p>The {{a href="external_link-17840833"}}American Red Cross{{/a}} is providing relief assistance in the Bahamas, FLA, GA and the Carolinas.</p>

<p>{{a href="external_link-17180900"}}Charity Navigator is vetting relief organizations{{/a}} that had pre-positioned resources to deliver food, emergency shelter, medical care, and other critical items to people impacted by Dorian in the Bahamas. Charities are rated on a 5-star scale based on their financial health and their accountability and transparency.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{oembed url="https://vimeo.com/285835677/52b23516c2"}}</div>

<h2>Get help after a hurricane</h2>

<h3>REQUEST DISASTER ASSISTANCE</h3>


<p>Those in need of assistance can call <a href="tel:8006213362">800-621-3362</a> from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. (local time) seven days a week or visit <strong>{{a href="external_link-16107855"}}DisasterAssistance.gov{{/a}}</strong>, enter their home address and find out if the area where they live has been declared for individual assistance.</p>


<p>To apply for assistance, you will need:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Social Security Number</li>
	<li>Daytime telephone number</li>
	<li>Current mailing address and address and zip code of the damaged property</li>
	<li>Insurance information, if available.</li>
</ul>

<p> </p>

<p><a id="ins" name="ins"></a></p>

<h3>FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM</h3>

<p>Most North Carolina homes are required to carry flood insurance, an addendum not covered by most standard homeowners' policies, and policies must be in place 30 days before a storm to pay out.</p>

<p>If you have a homeowner’s or flood insurance policy, file your insurance claim immediately <u>before applying for disaster assistance</u>. Get the process started quickly. The faster you file, the faster your recovery can begin.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Contact your insurance agent as quickly as possible and ask for instructions on what to do until the adjuster arrives.</li>
	<li>Prepare an inventory of personal property that has been damaged or destroyed; take pictures of the damaged property.</li>
	<li>Keep all receipts. Reasonable expenses to protect your property are part of the loss and are generally reimbursed by insurance companies.</li>
	<li>Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs.</li>
	<li>If your home is uninhabitable, most homeowner's policies pay additional living expenses while your property is being repaired. Before renting temporary housing, check with your insurance company or agent to determine what expenses will be reimbursed.</li>
	<li>Review the settlement steps outlined in your policy. If you are dissatisfied with the proposed settlement offer, explain your position. If there is a significant difference between what the insurance company offers and what you believe you are entitled to, you may wish to submit the dispute to arbitration.</li>
</ul>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="story-5234332"}}</div>

<p>If you have questions about the insurance claims process or need assistance, you can call the Consumer Services Division of the N.C. Department of Insurance at 855-408-1212.</p>

<p><a id="docs" name="docs"></a></p>

<h3>REPLACE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS</h3>

<p>Events such as the flooding caused by hurricanes commonly result in the loss of important documents. North Carolinians can use the following resources to replace lost or damaged documents and records.</p>


<p>{{link href="external_link-16125658"}}: <a href="tel:8667190141">866-719-0141</a></p>

<p>{{link href="external_link-16125663"}}: <a href="tel:8886227328">888-622-7328</a></p>

<p>{{link href="external_link-16125665"}}: <a href="tel:9197333000">919-733-3000</a></p>


<p>{{link href="external_link-16125667"}}</p>


<p>{{link href="external_link-16125669"}}: <a href="tel:9197157000">919-715-7000</a></p>


<p>{{link href="external_link-16125731"}}</p>


<p>{{link href="external_link-16125735"}}: <a href="tel:8007721213">800-772-1213</a></p>

<p>{{link href="external_link-16125739"}}: <a href="tel:8003755283">800-375-5283</a></p>

<p>{{link href="external_link-16125741"}}: <a href="tel:8774872778">877-487-2778</a></p>


<p>{{link href="external_link-16125766"}}</p>

<p>{{link href="external_link-16125768"}}</p>

Get help, give help: Recovering after Hurricane Dorian

Here to Help Hurricane Relief

5. Landscapers, firefighters want to give back, feed stomachs and hearts

The lights were back on Wednesday night for thousands in New Hanover County, but the work that lies ahead is overwhelming.

Kathryn Brown

Jamie Munden

Janine Bowen

'I want to give back:' Landscapers begin removing trees from Wilmington homes

Extensive cleanup begins in Wilmington after Florence

Valerie Aguirre

Facing long road ahead, Florence leaves questions, takeaways

Cape Fear River,Fayetteville,Harnett County,Hurricane Florence,Wilmington,flooding,severe weather,storm damage

The Storm Prediction Center has our southern counties under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday.

Level 1 severe risk Friday afternoon: Damaging winds and hail possible

Chilly mornings on the way 

Durham police are investigating a drive-by shooting Thursday night. 

Man injured in drive-by shooting on Chautauqua Ave., Durham Police investigate

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

Iran fires air defense batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan

Iran_53492

Residents in Anderson Creek Crossing in Spring Lake, are on high alert after discovering a disturbing pattern of tampered mail.

Torn envelopes, missing money: Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

Neighbors in Spring Lake say thieves stole their mail, cash, and gift cards 

More than 4,300 North Carolinians died from overdoses in 2022. That trend continues going up, devastating entire communities.

2022 data: 12 people a day died from drug overdoses in North Carolina 

Woman shows faces of those who died from overdoses in NC

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

After 22 years in business, Armadillo Grill on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh has closed.



Glenwood South staple Armadillo Grill closes

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Videos

After the death of a Harnett County teenager, the softball community in Eastern North Carolina remembers her through stickers and fighting the stigma around mental health.

A North Carolina softball family is honoring one of their own, focusing on suicide prevention

Helmet stickers honoring Aubrey Horne

The Coyotes are moving to Salt Lake City in a deal that was signed less than 24 hours after Wednesday night's 5-2 win over Edmonton.

Party's over: Coyotes end tenure in the desert with team's sale, move to Salt Lake City

Oilers_Coyotes_Hockey_54852

USA Basketball studied every men's basketball game it has played for about two decades and a clear trend eventually appeared. When the defense isn't good enough, the Americans tend to get themselves into trouble.

USA Basketball announces its men's team for the Paris Olympics

Pelicans_Warriors_Basketball_28998

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Nelly Korda, who is looking to tie an LPGA Tour record with her fifth straight win, shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday in the opening round of the Chevron Championship, leaving her two shots behind leader Lauren Coughlin in the year's first major.

Chasing 5th straight win, Nelly Korda is 2 shots back at Chevron Championship after a first-round 68

LPGA_Tour_Golf_93382

NCAA athletes will be immediately eligible to play no matter how many times they transfer -- as long as they meet academic requirements -- after the association fast-tracked legislation Wednesday to fall in line with a recent court order.

Facing long road ahead, Florence leaves questions, takeaways

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Florence: 5 questions, takeaways