Charlotte North Carolina News

When fires begin in rural areas, weather satellites in space are often the first to detect new smoke plumes. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The East Coast of the United States is getting a new watchful eye over its skies as the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration prepares to turn weather observations over to a new satellite. The new satellite launched on June 25, 2024 and has been in testing for the past nine months. It will replace…

NC celebrated 15,000 fortified roofs as leaders push for storm-ready homes and tax-free grants to expand access amid rising climate risks and insurance costs. RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina reached a major milestone in coastal resilience Friday, celebrating the installation of its 15,000th fortified roof—an upgrade designed to protect homes from hurricane-force winds and heavy rain. The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) hosted a luncheon Friday to mark the achievement. NCIUA has invested more…

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 7 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 2,076 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 2,545 acres and also 0% contained….

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 7 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 2,076 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 2,545 acres and also 0% contained….

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 12 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 1,239 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 1,802 acres and also 0% contained….

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 12 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 1,239 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 1,802 acres and also 0% contained….

Evacuations related to that fire have been lifted. Evacuation orders remain in place in some areas around the Carolinas as other fires continue to burn. CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A large wildfire burned between 45 and 60 acres of land near the Caldwell-Wilkes county line on Saturday, forcing temporary evacuations as flames threatened nearby homes. Fire crews were called to the area around Caleb Lane on Highway 268 in Caldwell County at approximately 2:30 p.m….

Evacuations related to that fire have been lifted. Evacuation orders remain in place in some areas around the Carolinas as other fires continue to burn. CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A large wildfire burned between 45 and 60 acres of land near the Caldwell-Wilkes county line on Saturday, forcing temporary evacuations as flames threatened nearby homes. Fire crews were called to the area around Caleb Lane on Highway 268 in Caldwell County at approximately 2:30 p.m….

Firefighters are working to contain hot spots on Sunday. ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Firefighters and the North Carolina Forest Service are working to contain a large brush fire that spread from Stokes County into Rockingham County. According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the fire is approximately 250 acres and is 50% contained, as of 10 a.m. Sunday. Residents in the area were shocked when they learned about the fire. Brienna Reynolds didn’t expect to…

Firefighters are working to contain hot spots on Sunday. ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Firefighters and the North Carolina Forest Service are working to contain a large brush fire that spread from Stokes County into Rockingham County. According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the fire is approximately 250 acres and is 50% contained, as of 10 a.m. Sunday. As of Sunday morning, 125 wildfires have burned more than 3,500 acres across North Carolina. Residents in…

The fire is now burning across 200 acres of land. WILKES COUNTY, N.C. — There is an active wildfire in Wilkes County, according to Wilkes County EMS.  The wildfire is located on the mountainside of Old Highway 16 near the Wilkes and Ashe County line.  The North Carolina Forestry Service, Wilbar Fire Department, Wilkes County FAST Team, Wilkes County EMS, and Wilkes County Emergency Management are responding to the wildfire.  Officials say crews are battling…

The North Carolina Forest Service issued a statewide ban on all open burning effective 8 a.m. Friday. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Red Flag Warning is in effect for most of North Carolina and South Carolina through Saturday due to the increased threat of wildfires across the region.  What is a Red Flag Warning? The National Weather Service issued the warning on Friday afternoon. A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger…

“It literally felt like it was Dorothy off the Wizard of Oz,” Laquasia Hughes said after finding her daughter safe Monday morning. HERTFORD, N.C. — A tornado swept through a neighborhood in northeastern North Carolina early Monday, leaving behind a trail of destruction and sending several people to the hospital. The Perquimans County Emergency Operations Center confirmed that 13 mobile homes were damaged at Longview Estates Mobile Home Park, located just off Woodville Road. Emergency…

Survey teams confirmed an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds formed over Lake Murray, causing damage near Chapin before dissipating after about 6 miles. LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — Survey teams have confirmed that a tornado formed over Lake Murray on Sunday as a violent storm system that caused deaths and damage across the United States made its way through South Carolina. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado with winds estimated at 90 mph…

Strong storms caused tens of thousands of power outages in North Carolina, toppling trees and power lines. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tens of thousands of power outages were reported across North Carolina and South Carolina as a line of strong-to-severe storms pushed toward the Charlotte area early Sunday.  As of 11:05 a.m. Sunday, at least 44,000 outages were reported in North Carolina. That number was down from over 52,000 earlier in the day. The vast majority…