News From Across The USA

Hurricane Matthew: 9 U.S. Deaths Linked to Storm, Matthew Won't Make Dreaded Loop

South Carolina spent the day in terror of wind and flood threats, but many expected far more damage.

CHARLESTON, SC — Nine U.S. deaths have been linked to Hurricane Matthew, a violent hurricane that challenged communities across the southeast as it slowly plowed from central Florida to the North Carolina coast. The storm is expected to head out to sea early Sunday morning and dissipate, avoiding a loop back to Florida that some forecasters had feared.

The Lowcountry got a good look at the damage from deadly Matthew's trip up the coast on Saturday. The South Carolina Department of Transportation was expected to reopen the Ravenel Bridge — an important link between Mount Pleasant and the Charleston peninsula, and a 3-mile stretch of U.S. 17. The structure had been closed after the storm passed over concerns that the suspension bridge may have been damaged by the winds.

Some roads were washed out, and a few others were still impassable Saturday night. More than 500,000 were without power across the state in the midst of the storm. Governor Nikki Haley said Saturday that evacuees were encouraged to stay away for the rest of the weekend to give crews a chance to continue recovery efforts. Local responders and more than 2,300 National Guard troops were assisting stranded residents Saturday afternoon.

2 Officers Dead, 3rd Officer Wounded in Palm Springs Shooting

PALM SPRINGS: Police have surrounded a Palm Springs home and are searching the neighborhood for the shooter.

PALM SPRINGS, CA - Two Palm Springs police officers were shot to death and a third was wounded Saturday afternoon as they responded to a domestic call about a troubled man.

The two officers were shot to death near Cypress and Del Lago Roads, Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes confirmed. Currently, a house in the 2700 block of Cypress Road is surrounded by police and the neighborhood is cordoned off. It's not known if the shooter was injured in an exchange of gunfire with police.

"I'm awake in a nightmare right now," a teary-eyed chief told reporters at a press conference Saturday afternoon. "Today Palm Springs lost two brave officers. They go out every day and put their boots on the ground for this community. They gave it all for you."

One of the slain officers was a 35-year veteran of the department due to retire in December. Officer Jose Gil Vega, 63, was married and had eight children. He was scheduled to be off Saturday but picked up an overtime shift. Also slain was Lesley Zerebny, 27, who recently returned to duty from maternity leave. She has a 4-month-old child and was on the force for one and a half years. She's married to a Riverside County deputy.

"He'd already submitted his paperwork to retire," Reyes said. "She'd just returned to work after giving birth to her baby daughter four months ago."

The third officer who was shot is in a local hospital and is "alert and doing well," according to Chief Reyes, who would not divulge the extent of the officer's injuries.

Police said a woman called 911 to report that her adult son was causing a disturbance at a home in the 2700 block of Cypress Road. The officers were dispatched at 12:18 p.m. Reyes said the young man threatened to shoot officers through the front door. The officers were standing outside the door and were attempting to talk with the man when the shots were fired.

After the first two officers arrived on the scene, a request for emergency assistance was radioed in.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office now has tactical command of the scene. Residents are asked to stay indoors. Witnesses in the neighborhood reported hearing machine-gun fire and said they heard as many as 20 shots. Police in tactical gear swarmed the area, and police said a "code red alert" was issued for the neighborhood. Some homes were evacuated.

"We are actively looking for a cop murderer," the chief said, asking that local news media refrain from livestreaming video of the movements of tactical officers in the neighborhood.

Police are not releasing any information about the family that made the 911 call or the suspected shooter. Reporters asked about the history of calls to the residence, but Chief Reyes and the Riverside County Sheriff's Office spokesman both said that information will not be revealed at this time.

A memorial has appeared outside the Palm Springs police station. | Photo by Renee Schiavone | Patch

A police helicopter is circling overhead. The suspect is believed to still be in the house but police are also searching the neighborhood. Chief Reyes said it's possible the suspect left and could be outside the growing containment area set up by police.

A police armored vehicle is on the scene. Police from several jurisdictions are assisting. A police spokesman said police are confident only one shooter is involved.