It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Milton, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“When the time arose to find a live-in care facility for my uncle, I was”
“I wish there was 10 stars for the excellent care, dedication to our mom and”
“Mary Witherspoon is amazing! She has cared for both my parents and is a”
“ABC is a great company that cares about their employees. The pay is good”
“I like working at ABC because I get a chance to help other.”
“Hi my name Amiya and I have been working for ABC for almost 4 months”
“Everyone is nice and friendly when you have an issue they are quick to respond”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them”
“I have to brag on Stephen and the Always Best Care team. They are always”
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Always Best Care team! Working”
“Jaye has been a great caregiver for my Mom. Jaye writes detailed care notes about”
“We would like to give a shout out to some of the caregivers. We are”
“We are thankful to have Ms Loretta as a caregiver, she’s very giving, a sweet”
“We have used Always Best for 2 years for my Dad before he passed &”
“Great staff members to work with from the beginning. Meaning, the recruiter, hiring manager, receptionist,”
“We used Always Best Care Senior Services to assist with 24/7 care in the home”
“Sara Bynum is the best example of a CAREGIVER! Caring is her specialité..She is always”
“Our family has been pleased with ABC services, thankful for a company to be able”
“I’m in need of a caregiver for my son and Always Best Senior Care is”
“I am writing for my mother Alice Pearce. We are very happy with the care”
“Caregivers (Raina & Aiyana) are very caring and helpful to my father's needs,”
“Caring staff. Patient portal for family. Quick replacement/fill in caregiver.”
“Britiany has been caring for my mom almost 4 years. She is so kind and”
“My husband's caregiver Taylor is so very patient with him. She does her work without”
“When the time arose to find a live-in care facility for my uncle, I was referred to Stephen Carlson with ABC. I am so grateful to Stephen for taking me to tour the available facilities so promptly, making introductions, answering my questions, and doing it all within the framework of what would work best for my uncle in his current situation. It was very hard to make the final decision but Stephen was so kind, patient, and helpful during this difficult time. It would have been nearly impossible for me to have made it through this uncharted territory without his compassionate assistance. You have my sincere thanks for all the time and help!”
“I wish there was 10 stars for the excellent care, dedication to our mom and our family. Words truly cannot express our gratitude, for everything Stephen Carlson has done to assist us. His knowledge, caring, and dedication to finding the right place has truly been remarkable. Thank you.”
“Mary Witherspoon is amazing! She has cared for both my parents and is a part of the family now. Highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“ABC is a great company that cares about their employees. The pay is good and everyone in the office is extremely helpful. It’s easy to get time off, (just let them know 2 weeks ahead of time). We have monthly in-service & education is offered in person or via zoom. We are given the tools we need to succeed.”
“I like working at ABC because I get a chance to help other.”
“Hi my name Amiya and I have been working for ABC for almost 4 months now. I really love this job because it’s very flexible especially since I’m a full time college student. It’s really hard to find jobs like this and if you need days they don’t mind as long your attendance isn’t bad. They are also very understanding. It’s really a great job and I love helping people.”
“Everyone is nice and friendly when you have an issue they are quick to respond”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I have to brag on Stephen and the Always Best Care team. They are always out in the community lending a helping hand and giving back. That is so important for a company to do when they're trying to build trust. I really appreciate Stephens kind and caring nature especially when it comes to those that need his assistance. Thank you ABC keep up the good work!”
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Always Best Care team! Working here has been an immensely rewarding experience. The positive and collaborative atmosphere within the company has made every day enjoyable. I am grateful to have a supportive management team who values the contributions of each team member and fosters a culture of mutual respect. My coworkers are not just colleagues; they are like family. Together, we create a dynamic and uplifting work environment. Always Best Care truly prioritizes the well-being of their employees, clients, families, and community which is reflected in the quality of care we provide to our seniors. The commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of the organization. I wholeheartedly recommend Always Best Care as both a fantastic place to work and a reliable service for seniors in need.”
“Jaye has been a great caregiver for my Mom. Jaye writes detailed care notes about Mom's day so that we know what is going on even if we live out of town. She goes the extra mile to get Mom out in the sun when the weather is nice and she paints Mom's fingernails, which Mom enjoys. Jaye doesn't hesitate to contact us if Mom needs something or if she has questions. We feel lucky to have her.”
“We would like to give a shout out to some of the caregivers. We are thankful to have Ms Loretta as a caregiver, she’s very giving, a sweet person, and she works very hard to help us. Such a blessing for Mike and myself. Taylor has such a contagious smile and is so calming for Mike. Always willing to help out however he can. A blessing to us. Tena jumps right in right away as she arrives and is so caring , willing to do whatever task to help ensure all is taken care of and cared for while she’s here. What a blessing Tonya has been for Mike, a contagious caring attitude and willingness to step in and takeover with all things while she’s here. So thankful she’s been put on our caregiver schedule.”
“We are thankful to have Ms Loretta as a caregiver, she’s very giving, a sweet person, and she works very hard to help us. Such a blessing.”
“We have used Always Best for 2 years for my Dad before he passed & now 2 years for my Mom. They are the best! Laura J. With Always Best is phenomenal. She is always pleasant & prompt. She is always willing to go a step beyond to help my Mom in every way with the best attitude!”
“Great staff members to work with from the beginning. Meaning, the recruiter, hiring manager, receptionist, and scheduler. Schedulers are magnificent at finding and replacing hours if needed All staff (including caregivers) REALLY care about thier clients. ????”
“We used Always Best Care Senior Services to assist with 24/7 care in the home of my mother in law. We had used 4 different agencies prior to Always Best, they were exceptional. The quality, compassionate care of the care givers was unmatched and if there was ever a call out - a substitute was sent with in 2 hours. Such peace of mind! I was so impressed with the organization that I ended shifting trajectories in my career and now I am an employee. It was the best decision I ever made! I don't know what took me so long to change! I can not say enough good things about the organization as a consumer and an employee. The Loy family does an amazing job of leading a team of kind, compassionate, caring care givers who give exceptional service.”
“Sara Bynum is the best example of a CAREGIVER! Caring is her specialité..She is always prompt, cheerful, patient, industrious, generous, personable, organized, and, additionally, has a delightful sense of humor. I can't sing her praises loud enough!”
“Our family has been pleased with ABC services, thankful for a company to be able to rely on for my Dad's care.”
“I’m in need of a caregiver for my son and Always Best Senior Care is one of the companies that I contacted. Although they were unable to provide services to us (through no fault of their own) mallory trip time to refer us to a company, including phone number to contact for services. She was very helpful, kind, and attentive to our needs. I appreciate the time they took to assist me the best way they could.”
“I am writing for my mother Alice Pearce. We are very happy with the care provided by Jaye. She goes above and beyond in providing loving care for our mother. She always has a good handoff with the previous caregiver and the subsequent caregiver, making sure they know how mother is and what she needs. Mother loves a shower and Jaye is thoughtful in fitting them in when mother wants one and always has her presentable for family visits. She is a good cook and is sensitive to what mother will enjoy, so her appetite is better on Jaye's shift. She is a good communicator with the family and always puts in informative shift notes. She has technical skills. Recently, the facility got a new wifi and she updated the equipment so it all worked. I usually get those calls and she fixed everything without my involvement. She is very flexible and will stay late and take on extra shifts at the last minute. We are indeed fortunate that she is caring for our dear mother.”
“Caregivers (Raina & Aiyana) are very caring and helpful to my father's needs,”
“Caring staff. Patient portal for family. Quick replacement/fill in caregiver.”
“Britiany has been caring for my mom almost 4 years. She is so kind and patient and willing to help in any way she can. We value Britiany and think of her as family now. We have been so pleased the way in which Always Best Care has worked with us.”
“My husband's caregiver Taylor is so very patient with him. She does her work without supervision. We are proud to have her in our home. Sincerely, Jack & Lou”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Milton, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Milton, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Milton, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Wireless and wireline service providers continue to make progress in repairing and restoring connectivity in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton.According to figures reported to the Federal Communications Commission as of Monday, 7.2% of sites continued to be out in affected areas of North Carolina and Tennessee. That was a...
Wireless and wireline service providers continue to make progress in repairing and restoring connectivity in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton.
According to figures reported to the Federal Communications Commission as of Monday, 7.2% of sites continued to be out in affected areas of North Carolina and Tennessee. That was a slight uptick from 5.1% the previous day. Mountainous terrain and washed out roads and bridges have combined to severely limit telcos’ ability to reach and repair their network assets in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Meanwhile, networks in Florida post-Milton were in a sufficient state of recovery that the FCC opted to deactivate disaster response reporting requirements for areas impacted by that storm as of Monday. According to the FCC’s numbers, carriers had whittled down the percentage of sites out to around 2%, and even the highly impacted counties of Pinellas and Hillsborough only had about 6% of their sites out. The Florida county with the highest percentage of sites still out was Union, with 10% of sites down as of yesterday.
In their most recent updates, the national carriers highlighted:
-T-Mobile US said that fewer than 2% of its customers in Florida are without consistent connectivity post-Milton, and that it has made nearly 1,000 site assessments and deployed and/or refueled more than 600 generators. The carrier said that it is focused on impacted sites in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Volusia counties, and that it is weighing portable satellite dishes and microwave equipment for some sites, where extensive fiber damage means that their backhaul connections will take longer to restore.
-AT&T said that it had responded to more than 30 requests for deployable FirstNet assets in areas impacted by Hurricane Milton. The carrier called out its aerial Cell on Wings, aka flying COWs, as being “vital in reconnecting areas with disrupted infrastructure.”
The carrier has supplemented its Helene response in North Carolina by recently adding a Mobile Connectivity Center, in partnership with the non-profit Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), which provides both device charging and access to 16 computers.
-Verizon has made $2 million in donations for relief efforts and said that network-wise, it continues to refuel generators to ensure that sites stay online. Where cell sites have already been restored post-Milton, the carrier said, its engineers are focused on getting the network back to its usual, pre-storm performance levels.
In related news, materials mining for semiconductors and fiber-optics in the devastated North Carolina town of Spruce Pine is beginning to come back online. Quartz mine Sibelco, which provides high-purity quartz for use in semiconductors and solar panels, announced that it has restarted shipments to customers and that “both production and shipments are progressively ramping up to full capacity.”
“I want to thank our employees for their remarkable resilience and teamwork under these extremely difficult circumstances,” said Sibelco CEO Hilmar Rode in a statement. “While the road to full recovery for our communities will be long, restarting our operations and resuming shipments to customers are important contributors to rebuilding the local economy.”
TQC, the other major quartz supplier in the Spruce Pine area, has said that while all of its employees are safe, it is still evaluating when it will be able to resume operations—but that supply chain planning prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic meant that it was confident that it would be able to meet demand.
After Hurricane Helene left Dan Hadley and Diane deGrasse with no power or water at their home in Black Mountain, N.C., an old friend from church offered them her home in Venice, Fla. She was going to be away, but at least the couple could get a respite from the tough post-storm conditions.Mr. Hadley, 87, drove 14 hours over two days to get to Venice. “We said, ‘Hey, let’s head to sunny Florida!” he said.Then, Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico.“This dumb luck,” Mr. Hadley s...
After Hurricane Helene left Dan Hadley and Diane deGrasse with no power or water at their home in Black Mountain, N.C., an old friend from church offered them her home in Venice, Fla. She was going to be away, but at least the couple could get a respite from the tough post-storm conditions.
Mr. Hadley, 87, drove 14 hours over two days to get to Venice. “We said, ‘Hey, let’s head to sunny Florida!” he said.
Then, Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico.
“This dumb luck,” Mr. Hadley said by phone as rains and winds gusted outside.
The couple once again found themselves with no running water — local officials shut it off ahead of the storm — but they still had power late Wednesday afternoon. They had lifted books and other items off the floor, expecting a foot or two of storm surge, though Mr. Hadley said the latest forecast showing a slightly weaker storm had reassured him a bit.
Speaking from her second home in Cape Cod, Mass., Linda Underwood said she could not believe she had inadvertently put her friends in Milton’s path.
“I did it out of the goodness of my heart,” she said. “Now they’re sitting quite near the shores of Venice, Florida.”
The Venice house is in an evacuation zone, Mr. Hadley said — half a mile from the water — but “we just have no place to go.”
Many Floridians have ties to North Carolina. Terry Neal, who is retired, splits his time between Tampa, Fla., and Hendersonville, N.C. He was in North Carolina for Helene and his home there still has no power. He was anxiously waiting to see what Milton might do to his Tampa home.
“I lived in Florida for 24 years, and I’ve seen hurricanes come through before, but nothing like these past two weeks,” Mr. Neal said. “I just can’t believe it.”
His Tampa home is near a river. He said in an interview on Tuesday that he worried the house would flood and he might lose meaningful belongings, such as his pets’ ashes. Before he leaves each year for North Carolina, he said, “I say to them, ‘You’re protecting our home.’”
But mostly, Mr. Neal said, “I worry about the living” — his friends and neighbors in Tampa who might soon face conditions similar to the one his friends and neighbors in North Carolina are weathering.
Mr. Hadley said that when he retired to the Asheville, N.C., area, he considered it a climate haven.
“There was no way of anticipating that we’d get soaked with rain before Helene was even a storm,” he said.
Now, awaiting Milton, he and his wife have stocks of food, water and liquor, he said. Ms. deGrasse, he added, “has been making really quite excellent peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”
Our fellow citizens should not go without water, food, electricity or cell service day after day. We must expect more from our government and more for our neighbors....
In western North Carolina, thousands of Americans continue to suffer in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Nearly two weeks after the storm hit, many residents of Asheville and surrounding areas are without water, electricity and other vital resources.
Helene caused more damage, much farther inland, than predicted. Families living in the mountains don't expect the remnants of a hurricane to threaten their lives and destroy their homes.
But in 2024, thousands of Americans should not go without basic necessities day after day.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exists to help in such emergencies. While there's been much political back-and-forth about the agency's effectiveness in the wake of Helene, and not a small amount of misinformation, it is reasonable for citizens to question how well their government is delivering on its promises − just as they did after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and after other natural disasters before and since.
On Sunday, Biden-Harris administration officials said they were "sparing no resource" to help those affected by the storm. A week ago, they said they were leading "a robust Federal response to help impacted communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene."
Yet, families are still transporting clean water in 5-gallon containers and milk jugs 13 days after the storm came ashore in Florida.
By Tuesday evening in North Carolina, more than 110,000 customers were still without electricity. Roads remain impassable in some areas. Mules are carrying essentials like food, water and insulin to those in need. As time passes, the risk of illness grows.
Opinion:Helene devastated my NC community. What I saw next helped me survive.
On Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., described FEMA's response as a "massive failure." Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, said FEMA's failures are a "slap in the face" to Americans in need.
Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., has been on the ground in North Carolina and has delivered supplies, such as insulin and oxygen. Last week, Mills, an Army veteran, told Fox News that the federal government has "failed to act."
In their defense, FEMA administrators say they have provided more than $137 million in assistance to six states, including about 15 million meals, 14 million liters of water and 157 generators as of Sunday.
But as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, and with the massive needs that remain in North Carolina, it's fair to ask whether FEMA is up to the job of easing the suffering of millions of Americans.
FEMA's weaknesses, both historical and current, show why private aid and "everyday" citizens are often more effective in crisis than the federal government. Citizens are local, motivated and unhindered by layers of bureaucracy.
Yet, while it's inspiring to see helicopter pilots rescue desperate survivors in the North Carolina mountains before a federal agency reaches them, it's also evidence that FEMA must do better.
Opinion:I worried my friends in NC wouldn't survive Helene. They told me how they did.
Our fellow citizens should not go without water, food, electricity or cell service day after day. We must expect more from our government and more for our neighbors.
We must investigate FEMA's response to Americans in crisis.
Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.
Some families evacuating Florida because of Hurricane Milton are passing through Cumberland County along I-95.FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Some families evacuating Florida because of Hurricane Milton are passing through Cumberland County along I-95.The impact of Hurricane Milton can already be seen in the Fayetteville area, as the manager of several hotels by I-95 report bookings are ...
Some families evacuating Florida because of Hurricane Milton are passing through Cumberland County along I-95.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Some families evacuating Florida because of Hurricane Milton are passing through Cumberland County along I-95.
The impact of Hurricane Milton can already be seen in the Fayetteville area, as the manager of several hotels by I-95 report bookings are up as much as 40 percent higher than this time last year with people evacuating Florida. Some families ABC11 spoke with at the rest area nearby said they've been on the road battling traffic since Tuesday.
Some evacuating from Florida said their communities were already still recuperating from 2022's Hurricane Ian, so the back-to-back storms (Helene and now Milton) have really taken a toll.
"We just kind of have never really been hit that bad before and Helene was very...it shook us," Juleen Anderson said.
Anderson and her two kids are taking refuge at her boyfriend's home in Raleigh, so she's happy to have safe place to stay. But she worries about the impact this is having on her children.
"It's scary," Anderson said. "It's scary. Climate change is real and you know, growing up in that area I don't remember there being as many hurricanes and now my kids, they have hurricane days and it's like a whole thing."
Paul Wierdorn is also evacuating from Florida. He said his area was also still already reeling from Hurricane Helene.
"People's houses got a foot or two of water so they put all their furniture and all their stuff, all their wet stuff and dumped it out in front of their house and most of that is still there. So when this thing come through, it's going to be a very bad mess," he said.
Another mom, Kathleen Wimmer, said she just came back from visiting her daughter who recently bought a house in Florida. Wimmer said she's worried about how this storm could damage the new home.
"Our daughter had bought two generators, so I thought that they're doing as best as they can. I think they'll weather it out but it's pretty scary, it really is," she said.
Anderson said with so many natural disasters in her area--particularly Hurricane Helene and now Milton--she feels people in Florida and western North Carolina are connected in their grief.
"I cry when I think about it. Those people had no idea what was coming to them and it's--there's going to be a lot of repairing that needs to be done in the South, a lot of collective trauma here."
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —Hurricane Milton has become a historic hurricane developing very rapidly as it takes aim at Florida. This afternoon, tornado warnings are in effect for many counties as tornadic supercells have wrapped inland from Category 3 Hurricane Milton. Tropical storm force winds are also moving north of the storm center on Milton's approach to the coast.Milton is expected to become the second major hurricane to make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast in less than two weeks and may cause catast...
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Hurricane Milton has become a historic hurricane developing very rapidly as it takes aim at Florida. This afternoon, tornado warnings are in effect for many counties as tornadic supercells have wrapped inland from Category 3 Hurricane Milton. Tropical storm force winds are also moving north of the storm center on Milton's approach to the coast.
Milton is expected to become the second major hurricane to make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast in less than two weeks and may cause catastrophic damage. The storm became a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday before intensifying to a Category 5 by Monday afternoon with expected landfall this evening.
Check out Milton's latest track below.
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Meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center expect Milton to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane as it approaches Central Florida and the Tampa area this evening. The angle of the storm's approach may also bring storm surge and flooding close to many areas that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
40-year-old man charged with child sex crimes, Davidson County Sheriff's Office says
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Evacuations were issued along Florida's west coast and worsening weather conditions are now impacting those who chose not to evacuate.
Although Milton may weaken slightly before landfall Wednesday evening, the storm is broad and expected to remain a major hurricane at landfall. Life-threatening winds, storm surge, and flooding are likely for the Florida Peninsula.
Milton could impact the Carolina coast later this week with a chance of higher surf and some rough seas and a slightly higher risk of rip and longshore currents. North Carolina is no longer included in the Tropical Storm Watch as the latest track for Milton has been placed farther south of Tampa and closer to Sarasota.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft on Monday indicated Milton had peak sustained winds of 180 mph. This intensity achievement based on winds and pressure makes it one of the most powerful hurricanes in the Atlantic basin in the last 10 years.
Data as of the 11 p.m. advisory on Monday indicated that the minimum pressure rose to 914 mb. Earlier Monday evening the pressure fell to 897 mb making Milton one of the most intense hurricanes of all time in the Atlantic basin.
Here's a look at the current conditions in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico:
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