Chainsaw-wielding nun clears debris from Irma
(CNN) -- Across the state of Florida, and up into Georgia and South Carolina, images of first responders have become a welcome sight amid the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.But among the usual uniforms -- those of police, firefighters and paramedics -- a nun's habit stands out.And when said nun is wielding a chainsaw, well, that is something that can renew faith in even the most downtrodden."There was a need, I had the means, so I wanted to help out," Sister Margaret Ann told Erin Burnett on Tuesday evening.A 30-year education veteran from Archbishop Coleman F.
Stars turn out to push for donations for hurricane relief
NEW YORK — Urged on by dozens of stars who turned out to sing, tell stories and plead for support for hurricane victims in a one-hour televised benefit, organizers said more than $44 million was raised Tuesday and donations are still being accepted.With Stevie Wonder singing "Lean on Me" and Usher and Blake Shelton joining for "Stand By Me," the message was clear: Americans were being asked to help those whose lives were upended by wind and rain.Justin Bieber, George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Al Pacino, Lupita Nyong'o, Jay Leno and dozens of others sat at phone banks to accept donations.
Florida police say Facebook comments on officers' selfie 'made our chief blush'
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A photo of three Florida police officers is creating quite a stir, and the comments "made our chief blush," the department wrote on Facebook.The selfie shows officers Nordman, Hamill and Rengering getting ready to work during Hurricane Irma on Sunday.
"Florida is doing a fantastic job:" WI National Guard response after Irma limited to 650 troops
FLORIDA -- 650 Wisconsin National Guard troops were in Florida as of Tuesday, September 12th to help Hurricane Irma victims.According to a press release from Wisconsin National Guard officials, the response from Wisconsin will be limited to those 650 troops already in the Sunshine State.
Without air conditioning, steamy Florida yearns for power
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a state built on air conditioning, millions of Florida residents now want to know one thing: When will the power be back on?Hurricane Irma's march across Florida and into the Southeast triggered one of the bigger blackouts in U.S. history, plunging as many as 13 million people into the dark as the storm dragged down power lines and blew out transformers.
Already in Texas, WI Salvation Army volunteers on standby after Irma: "We're just learning what's taken place"
FLORIDA -- The Salvation Army is helping hurricane victims in Texas and Florida after Harvey and Irma, and you can as well.Irma made landfall Sunday, September 10th on Cudjo Key, and FEMA said Tuesday 25% of the homes on the chain of islands in the Florida Keys were destroyed by Irma.
Kohl’s donates additional $1M to American Red Cross for hurricane relief
MENOMONEE FALLS -- In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Kohl’s announced on Tuesday, September 12th that it is donating an additional $1 million to provide support in the relief and recovery efforts from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.In total, this brings Kohl’s donation to the American Red Cross to $2 million.Kohl’s indicated in a news release it will also continue to provide financial assistance to associates who have been directly and significantly impacted by the storms.Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, CEO and president issued the following statement:"With several storms impacting our country, it’s more important than ever that Kohl’s lend our support to the American Red Cross.
"It's bigger than sports:" FAU thanks Wisconsin for their hospitality during Hurricane Irma
MADISON -- The Florida Atlantic Owls are extending thanks to the Wisconsin Badgers for their hospitality this past weekend, while their state was faced with the devastation of Hurricane Irma.As Irma battered down on South Florida Saturday, September 9th, the Wisconsin Badgers hosted the Florida Atlantic Owls at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
Florida east coast may have power back by Sunday
Florida's largest utility says much of the state's east coast could have power back by Sunday, but other areas could take 10 days or more.Rob Gould, vice president and chief communications officer for Florida Power & Light, said Tuesday that the utility expects to have power on for most customers along the state's eastern coast by the end of this weekend.Gould said it would take until the end of Sept. 22 to restore power along the state's western coast where the damage was much more severe.
Incredible video shows plane fighting Irma's winds, aborting landing at Myrtle Beach airport
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Incredible video shows an Allegiant flight battling winds from Tropical Storm Irma as it attempts to land at the Myrtle Beach International Airport on Monday.The video, which was submitted to WMBF by Christopher and Malgorzata Rosafort, was filmed on a golf course around noon.
"That's our job:" Some Wisconsin troops that'll help after Irma assisted with flood relief in Burlington in July
OCONOMOWOC -- On Monday, September 11th, it was wheels up for 2,500 Wisconsin National Guard troops deploying to Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Dashcam records Georgia driver's close call with falling tree
SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. – She may have some minor injuries and damage to the front end of her car, but one Georgia driver is lucky to be alive Monday.As Tropical Storm Irma buffeted the state with heavy winds and rain, Michael Head was driving along Highway 92, trying to get home when the tree fell, nearly crushing the white Lexus SUV in front of him.
Irma blamed for at least 6 deaths in Florida, more than 40 overall
FLORIDA -- Hurricane Irma has been blamed for more than 40 deaths, including six in Florida, as of 8:00 p.m. CT Monday, September 11th.Authorities say a Florida man appears to have been electrocuted by a downed power line following Irma.
Wisconsin businesses pitch in to bring relief to victims of Irma; "Don't wait, come to us"
MILWAUKEE -- Whether it's a jolt of electricity or a much-needed prescription, companies in southeast Wisconsin are doing what they can to bring relief to those affected by Hurricane Irma.
Irma takes a parting shot as it finally leaves Florida
TAMPA, Florida — A weakened Irma took its parting shot at Florida on Monday, triggering severe flooding in the state's northeastern corner, while authorities along the storm's 400-mile path struggled to rush aid to victims and take the full measure of the damage.The monster hurricane that hit the Florida Keys on Sunday as a Category 4 was downgraded to a tropical storm as it finally pushed its way out of the state and into Georgia, where it caused more misery.During its rainy, windy run up the length of Florida, Irma swamped homes, uprooted trees, flooded streets, cast boats ashore, snapped miles of power lines and toppled construction cranes."How are we going to survive from here?" asked Gwen Bush, who waded through thigh-deep floodwaters outside her central Florida home to reach National Guard rescuers and get a ride to a shelter. "What's going to happen now?
Irma Aftermath: 2nd death reported in Georgia
SANDY SPRINGS, Georgia -- Officials are reporting a second death in Georgia related to Tropical Storm Irma.Georgia Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Catherine Howden said the death was confirmed Monday in Sandy Springs, north of Atlanta.
Aircraft carrier rushed to the hurricane-battered Keys: "Hope everyone survived"
FLORIDA KEYS — Authorities sent an aircraft carrier and other Navy ships to the Florida Keys to help with search-and-rescue operations Monday as a flyover of the hurricane-battered islands yielded what the governor said were scenes of devastation."My heart goes out to the people in the Keys," Gov.
Irma's roar gives way to grinding chorus of saws, generators
SWEETWATER, Florida — A grinding chorus of chain saws and generators kicked in quickly after Hurricane Irma's roar left Sweetwater, a small, mostly Spanish-speaking town west of Miami where streets were swamped, fences and trees fell, cars got stuck in floodwater and shed roofs bent like tin foil.Adrian Ortiz, 28, was philosophical as he sat in his BMW on Monday, waiting rather ambitiously for a tow truck.
Kristen Bell sings 'Frozen' tunes at Florida Irma shelter
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kristen Bell says she is "singing in a hurricane" while riding out Irma in Florida.The "Frozen" star is in Orlando filming a movie and staying at a hotel at the Walt Disney World resort.
Now a tropical storm, Irma hits Florida with wind, flooding
TAMPA, Florida — A weakened but still dangerous Irma pushed inland Monday as it hammered Florida with winds and floodwaters that created hazards even for rescuers trying to help beleaguered residents.Irma was downgraded to a tropical storm over Florida, but it still had winds near hurricane force.