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Hurricane Matthew May Cost $10 Billion; Man Wounded In Officer-Involved Shooting

Hurricane Matthew impaired or destroyed more than 1 million structures, forced businesses from Florida to North Carolina to close and put thousands of people temporarily out of work.

Goldman Sachs estimates the storm likely caused $10 billion in damage overall, but figures suggest Matthew's effect on the broader national economy will be minimal. Though damage estimates are usually revised higher after more comprehensive assessments, the current figures would still make Matthew the 22nd-worst storm since World War II.

Meanwhile, the storm's after-effects have continued to linger in parts of eastern North Carolina. Residents in Greenville were keeping a nervous watch Wednesday morning on the river that flows along downtown. The Tar River was expected to crest later in the day, prompting authorities to order evacuations for about one-tenth of Greenville's 90,000 people.

The death toll associated with Matthew has so far risen to 19 as of Wednesday afternoon. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory said at a Wednesday press briefing that the latest deaths involved two people drowning in Robeson County, and additional drownings in Columbus and Wayne counties. Each was attributed to cars either being submerged or swept away in flood waters. The majority of hurricane-related deaths -- 14 out of 19 total -- were vehicle-related.

The governor reiterated that residents should heed the advice of government leaders who are telling them not to try to drive through flood waters. He also told people not to drive around barricades and to obey instructions from all authorities.

Man Wounded By Officer-Involved Shooting In South Charlotte

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say a man was shot and wounded by a police officer in the early hours of Wednesday morning. According to CMPD, a Westover Division Officer was traveling on Woodlawn Rd when she heard gunshots comings from a Days Inn parking lot. She pulled into the parking lot, left her car, and encountered a person with a handgun.

A witness interviewed by WSOC TV said the man fired on police twice before police shot him in the leg.

CMPD says additional officers arrived on the scene and immediately transported the subject to Carolinas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The officer was not injured.

The handgun held by the suspect was recovered at the scene, according to CMPD. Officials say the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

Detectives with CMPD's Homicide Unit are conducting an investigation, and a separate but parrallel investigation will be conducted by the Internal Affairs Program.

Nick de la Canal is an on air host and reporter covering breaking news, arts and culture, and general assignment stories. His work frequently appears on air and online. Periodically, he tweets: @nickdelacanal