WRAL-TV5's Launches "Hurricane Floyd Community Relief"

Raleigh, NC --- As thousands of eastern North Carolina residents scramble for higher ground and forecasters warn of more rain on the way, WRAL-TV5 will broadcast a day-long relief effort on Tuesday, Sept. 21st. WRAL’s “Hurricane Floyd Community Relief” will begin at 6am and continue throughout the day with updates on the hour, appeals during all newscasts, and 4 half-hour specials at 10am, 12:30pm, 7:30pm and 11:30pm. Sister station MIX 101.5 will simulcast the half-hour specials and solicit donations throughout the day.

Monetary donations will go to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Checks should be made out to either agency, earmarked "WRAL Floyd Relief", and mailed to: Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters P.O. Box 241808 Charlotte , N.C. 28224-1808 Red Cross 100 Peartree Lane Raleigh, N.C. 27610 or call 1-800-HELPNOW 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish-speaking) Credit card donations will be accepted at WRAL OnLine, www.wral-tv.com. Look for the link on the home page.

WRAL Online is also providing a county by county listing of relief efforts. "North Carolinians have a history of reaching out to their neighbors. The need has never been greater than right now," said Bill Peterson, WRAL Vice President and General Manager. "We here at WRAL-TV are pleased to give the first $100,000 for this effort and we hope other businesses will join us. Every dollar we raise will go to help the people in eastern North Carolina."

WRAL's coverage will include: *interviews with families affected by the floodwaters and officials directing the relief effort *insurance advice and financial aid information *new video, including Sky 5 aerials, of the flood scene *updates from the WRAL team of meteorologists on the impact of the rain expected in our area on Tuesday .