🌱CLT Cancels 300 Flights For Hurricane Ian + NC Under Wind Advisory

Hey, friends! It's Saturday in Charlotte and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on:

• Hurricane Ian causes 300 flights to be canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• Most North Carolina counties are under a Wind Advisory into Saturday
• 1.4-million adults living in North Carolina have a mental health condition

But first, today's weather:

Warmer; windy in the a.m.. High: 68 Low: 56.

Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. National Mental Illness Awareness Week will start on October 3. This is a very pressing issue in North Carolina. According to Anne Geissinger, program coordinator for North Carolina's suicide prevention program,"Over the last 10 years, suicide deaths in North Carolina have risen by an alarming 26%." Hoping to prevent this statistic from becoming worse, "the NC Department of Health and Human Services released a new action plan to address suicide. The action plan includes coordination among state agencies, increasing community awareness and identifying at-risk communities. Data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness says more than 1.4-million adults living in North Carolina have a mental health condition. For a quarter of those folks, their illness is considered to be serious," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. Nearly 300 flights were recently canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport because of Hurricane Ian. "The majority of those flights are with PSA Airlines, with 166 cancellations. American Airlines is reporting 60 cancellations, and Piedmont has 31. CLT Airport staff are advising travelers to check with their airline for flight status before coming to the airport," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
3. When the power in your house goes out, it is important to know how to determine if the food in your fridge is still safe to eat. If you don't do this properly, you could get sick. WCNC reports that the FDA says, "you should keep your fridge and freezer doors closed for as long as possible. You can keep dry or block ice in your fridge to help keep food cold for longer. Experts say throw out any perishables, like meat or dairy, that have been sitting for more than four hours at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher." (WCNC.com)
4. Governor Cooper is strongly reminding the people of North Carolina to "be safe and cautious during heavy rainfall, possible flooding and power outages as Hurricane Ian bears down on the state." The Governor's office reports that "Widespread rainfall amounts of two to six inches are expected across the state going into early Saturday with locally higher totals up to eight inches. This rainfall could lead to flash flooding, coastal storm surge, landslides in the mountains and rising rivers. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for all of North Carolina except southwestern portions of the state. ... Most North Carolina counties are under a Wind Advisory into today." (North Carolina Governor)
5. "Retired Charlotte Fire Captain Tripp Fincher was seriously injured in a hunting accident in Severy, Kansas, on Sept. 3. Fincher was airlifted for treatment to Wichita, Kansas where he underwent extensive surgery. A fundraiser has been established to bring Fincher home to Charlotte to continue his recovery and for physical rehabilitation. Because of his extensive injuries, he can only travel by medical airplane. The funds being raised will help cover the cost of air travel, physical rehabilitation in Charlotte and any ancillary expenses Fincher and his family may incur," City of Charlotte reports. (Charlotte NC Government)

Today in Charlotte:

• 11th Annual Queen City Corvette Show at Hendrick Motorsports (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Pink Cupcake Walk at Truist Field (10:00 a.m.)
• Pumpkin Festival (10:00 a.m.)
• LOBIS: Loved Ones of Brain Injury Survivors meeting at University City United Methodist Church (11:00 a.m.)
• Charlotte Chalk Art Festival at Charlotte Art League (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Independence Regional Spanish Basics (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Wine Fest at Symphony Park (12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
• Funny Bus Comedy City Tour (1:00 p.m.)
• Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble - Auditions (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• 5th Annual Montford Park Block Party! (3:00 p.m.)
• Josiah Johnson performance at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Dale F. Halton Theater (7:30 p.m.)
• Tabitha Brown: Cooking From The Spirit at Belk Theater (8:00 p.m.)
• Brian Simpson performance at Middle C Jazz (9:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Another big thank you to Petco Love for their generous grant that has allowed us to bring on Dr. Foley a few days a week to help with spay/neuter surgeries. We are so happy to have her on the AC&C team! #petcolovepartner (CMPD Animal Care and Control via Facebook)
• Join the CSO today in celebrating the American Guild of Organists’ 75th anniversary with Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony, played by powerhouse organist Paul Jacobs this Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at First United Methodist Church. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Come out to the Barn at MoRA on Oct. 10 for a FREE performance by a CSO low strings and flute ensemble! Enjoy a collection of original works by cellist Jeremy Lamb plus famous classical works and rockin’ pop songs. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• TWO WEEKS UNTIL OPENING NIGHT! Our 2022/2023 season opens in just two weeks with the premiere of Fall Works featuring three contemporary ballets: "Helen Pickett’s IN Cognito," "Crystal Pite’s A Picture of You Falling" and "Christopher S." (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Due to the threat of inclement weather, the CMPD Explorer’s program will be moving its drone program meeting to Oct. 13. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• What an incredible display of volunteerism from Masonite Doors! Thank you for assisting with outside work, cooking dinner, and making snack, lunch, and toiletry bags! Helping families one task at a time! (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Stevens Creek is a great example of how stream restoration projects help combat erosion and habitat loss. The stream now curves and meanders, reducing the water’s velocity and creating areas for habitat. (Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Nature Centers via Facebook)
• Celebrate this fall season with us on a free walk or bike ride on the Irwin and Stewart Creek greenways on Oct. 8. We’ll explore these two GREAT west Charlotte greenways! (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• WDAV today features your CSO’s May 2022 performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Charlotte Master Chorale, led by Maestro Warren-Green. Tune in at 6:00 p.m. to hear this spectacular performance! (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Your Fire Alarm telecommunicators are staffed, prepared, and ready to assist you with all your emergency needs throughout this weekend during #HurricaneIan, along with our partners at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. (Charlotte Fire Communications "Fire Alarm" via Facebook)
• UNION COUNTY: We have reservations available at our Mobile Free Store on Oct. 3 at the UCPS Professional Development Center on Brewer Drive! Don't miss your chance to get your free supplies at your doorstep! (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Hello Charlotte Natives and people who have been here since the 70s. I’m going to list places where I had the best times! Feel free to add yours! (Nextdoor)
• We highly recommend Jacob Quiroz as a contractor! Not only is he thorough, but he is trustworthy and professional. We really appreciate him and his crew with our kitchen remodel! Look up TMW Home Remodeling by calling this number: 980-465-2090. (Nextdoor)
• Lost dog! If anyone sees him or comes across him don’t be afraid. He is a sweetheart. Please contact me at 704-449-6907 if anyone can help. (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• Top 10 Divorce Mistakes & How to Avoid Them ~ Vesta's Charlotte, NC Hub (October 5)
• Charlotte Chak Art Festival - Oct 8th & 9th (October 8)
• ACT Master Strategies In-Person Class (October 30)
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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coast Girl with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com