SUMMARY: This evening, Governor Bill Lee, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are assessing damage to I-40 in Tennessee, which has been closed for over a week due to destruction from the Pigeon River. This vital highway typically accommodates around 30,000 vehicles daily and serves as a crucial link for both Tennessee and North Carolina. Repairs on the North Carolina side will require resources sent through Tennessee. Although the governor did not provide a timeline for repairs, the Federal Highway Administration will discuss efforts to restore this essential route during the upcoming 6 PM news segment.

TDOT and North Carolina crews are working on opening the westbound lanes of I-40 for two-lane traffic.

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SUMMARY: Over 3,300 Tennesseans have applied for federal disaster relief following Hurricane Helene, as reported by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Residents in several counties are eligible for assistance after Governor Bill Lee’s declaration was approved by the Biden administration. Lee praised the collaboration of local, state, and federal agencies alongside volunteers. The Dollywood Foundation donated $2 million to support survivors, while Bristol Motor Speedway is serving as a donation site. The Tennessee Department of Transportation estimates recovery costs in the “hundreds of millions,” with twelve confirmed storm-related deaths and fifteen missing persons reported. Residents are advised to boil water due to damage.

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SUMMARY: In preparation for Hurricane Milton, Florida agencies are on high alert less than two weeks after Hurricane Helen. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in several counties, including Charlotte, Manatee, and Citrus. Video footage shows residents in Pinellas County waiting hours to dispose of debris from Helen. Officials warn that residents must evacuate now, emphasizing the gravity of the situation after 12 fatalities in Pinellas during Helen. Six emergency shelters have opened in Pinellas County, joining numerous others statewide to ensure residents have safe options as the storm approaches. Authorities urge everyone to heed evacuation orders to avoid tragic outcomes.

Local agencies across Florida are bracing for another major storm less than two weeks after Helene.

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