Charlotte North Carolina News

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The White House denied North Carolina’s request for FEMA to extend full reimbursement for Helene damages. The state initially requested an extension of 100% of federal costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Friday, the agency denied the request stating it was “not warranted.”  In a post on X, Governor Josh Stein said he heard about the news while in Newland, a community devastated by Hurricane Helene. He said the need…

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The White House denied North Carolina’s request for FEMA to extend full reimbursement for Helene damages. The state initially requested an extension of 100% of federal costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Friday, the agency denied the request stating it was “not warranted.”  In a post on X, Governor Josh Stein said he heard about the news while in Newland, a community devastated by Hurricane Helene. He said the need…

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein marked his 100th day in office on Thursday with a visit to Asheville. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein marked his 100th day in office on Thursday with a visit to Asheville, where he addressed local government officials about ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Speaking to an audience of county commissioners, mayors, city councilors, and local government staff, Stein acknowledged the six-month anniversary of the devastating storm that…

The WMO retires Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John from the hurricane list due to their impact in 2024. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Hurricane Committee has retired the names Beryl, Helene and Milton from its Atlantic basin list and John from the eastern Pacific list due to their destructive impact in 2024.  These names will be replaced by Brianna, Holly, Miguel and Jake, respectively. There are six active hurricane name lists that…

The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office said Russell Wilber was found Friday in the Toe River. TELFORD, Tenn. — A body found in North Carolina has been identified as that of a man from East Tennessee who has been missing ever since Hurricane Helene brought deadly and historic flooding to the region. The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office said Russell Wilber, 66, was found in the Toe River on Friday, March 28. He is from…

The Table Rock Complex has grown to over 13,000 acres as South Carolina crews battle the massive wildfires. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wildfires in both North Carolina and South Carolina are continuing to spread with little containment. The biggest fires are within 20 miles of each other. In North Carolina, the Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires are now being tracked under the consolidated umbrella of the Black Cove complex. The fires, which started…

A tornado near Potosi was confirmed on weather radar. Residents caught numerous videos and photos of the twister soon after. POTOSI, Mo. — Soon after weather radar confirmed a tornado in the St. Louis region, multiple residents throughout Potosi flooded 5 On Your Side Weather Impact meteorologists with video and pictures of the twister. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado was on the ground near Potosi and was moving toward populated areas…

More than 90 million people are at risk from the thunderstorms expected to hit over the next several days. WASHINGTON — Standing alongside the twisted steel tractors on his family farm in northwest Arkansas, Danny Qualls looked on while friends and relatives helped him begin cleaning up. The home where he spent his childhood but no longer lives was flattened by one of many tornadoes that left behind destruction from Oklahoma to Indiana — the first…

TOSHA said the company “exercised reasonable diligence” on the day of the flooding and told employees to leave the work site before the flooding intensified. ERWIN, Tenn. — The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration finished its investigation into Impact Plastics after six employees were swept away and killed by catastrophic flash flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene in September. On April 2, TOSHA released its full investigation summary. It said it found Impact…

The World Meteorological Organization retired the name Helene due to the catastrophic storm’s impact in 2024. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially retired the name Helene from its Atlantic hurricane name list, following the catastrophic damage and tragic loss of life caused by the storm in 2024.  Helene, along with Beryl and Milton, will be replaced on the rotating list by Brianna, Holly and Miguel. The name John has also been…

The potent storm system will bring “significant, life-threatening flash flooding” starting Wednesday and continuing each day through Saturday. ATLANTA — Tornadoes and violent storms struck parts of the South and Midwest on Wednesday, knocking down power lines and trees, ripping roofs off homes and shooting debris thousands of feet into the air as a swath of severe weather hit the region. A tornado emergency was briefly issued in northeast Arkansas, with the National Weather Service’s…

Still recovering from an April 2024 hailstorm, York County residents brace for strong winds and possible hail on Monday. ROCK HILL, S.C. — York County is expecting strong winds and hail on Monday. Many residents are feeling a sense of dread, as nearly a year ago, a hailstorm wiped out power and caused thousands of dollars in damage. WCNC Charlotte’s Austin Walker spoke people in the Rock Hill community, where some neighbors are pleading, “Not again.”…

Still recovering from an April 2024 hailstorm, York County residents brace for strong winds and possible hail on Monday. ROCK HILL, S.C. — York County is expecting strong winds and hail on Monday. Many residents are feeling a sense of dread, as nearly a year ago, a hailstorm wiped out power and caused thousands of dollars in damage. WCNC Charlotte’s Austin Walker spoke people in the Rock Hill community, where some neighbors are pleading, “Not again.”…

Much-needed rain will help firefighting efforts across the Carolinas, but there’s also a threat of severe weather. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The WCNC Charlotte Weather Impact Team is encouraging everyone in the Charlotte area to be prepared for a line of thunderstorms that could produce severe weather across the Carolinas on Monday, March 31. Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich also emphasized the extreme fire danger on Friday and Saturday. Large wildfires are burning in both North Carolina…

Smoke from wildfires poses a serious health risk for residents across the Carolinas. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wildfires burning through western North Carolina are creating significant air quality challenges, with environmental officials warning residents about potential health risks from widespread smoke coverage. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is currently monitoring eight counties experiencing air quality issues, with some regions reaching critical alert levels. Shawn Taylor, the public information officer for the Division of Air…