Three Things for September 5

1. California fire continues as residents return home

On Sunday, Sept. 4, roughly 1,000 people were being kept from their homes in Weed, California after a fire had started at the beginning of the holiday weekend. 

The Associated Press states that Weed, California and its surrounding areas are known for perilous wildfires as winds stir the fire into a frenzy. 

“It’s eerily quiet.” About 1,000 people in the Northern California community of Weed were still being kept from their homes on Sunday after evacuation orders were lifted for thousands of others as firefighters worked to contain a blaze that began Friday. https://t.co/tsBGRBQ3k4

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 4, 2022

Roughly 132 buildings were damaged or destroyed in the fire, though it has not been confirmed whether these buildings were homes or businesses. The fire has covered 6.6 miles and is now 25% contained with only three people injured.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Dominique Mathes, 37, said. “Everybody has risks everywhere, like Florida’s got hurricanes and floods, Louisiana has got tornadoes and all that stuff. So, it happens everywhere. Unfortunately here, it’s fires.”

For more information, click here.

2. E. Coli outbreak possibly linked to Wendy’s

An E. Coli outbreak, originally beginning in the Midwest, is spreading. Cases are now reported in New York, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

There have been at least 97 illnesses and 43 hospitalizations but no deaths with no confirmed cause. Many of the cases have reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at the fast food chain, Wendy’s; however, there has been no evidence that romaine lettuce has been tied to the outbreak. 

NPR states the outbreak has affected people ages three years old to 94, with the first reported in July. 

An E. coli outbreak has expanded to 6 states with at least 97 cases.

Though the CDC hasn't confirmed the specific source, many of those who got sick reported eating Wendy's sandwiches with romaine lettuce.https://t.co/Z8QUJtoSG7

— NPR (@NPR) September 4, 2022

"While the CDC has not yet confirmed a specific food as the source of that outbreak, we have taken the precaution of removing the sandwich lettuce at some restaurants," Wendy’s said. "The lettuce that we use in our salads is different, and is not affected by this action."

For more information, click here. 

3. Flash flood emergency order issued in two counties in Georgia

Over the weekend, Georgia experienced flash flooding, with almost two inches per hour of rain into the evening of Sunday, Sept. 5, and more through Tuesday, Sept. 7. 

"Portions of Chattooga and Floyd Counties have received 10-13 inches, with more rain coming. These amounts have resulted in catastrophic flash flooding and a Flash Flood Emergency continues in that area," the National Weather Service office in Atlanta said Sunday.

Georgia is now under a state of emergency order for severe flooding in Chattooga and Floyd Counties.

According to CNN, Chattooga County is urging its residents to stay indoors and not venture out. 

For more information, click here.