Charlotte North Carolina News

Hurricane Milton was one of the strongest hurricanes on record, and it went through a classic cycle. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hurricane Milton was a historic storm, and one of the strongest on record. It also showed a textbook example of a phenomenon called the eyewall replacement cycle. Let’s raise that Weather IQ. Why this happens A well-defined eye is the sign of a powerful hurricane. The strongest winds and heaviest rain surround this area, which…

Johnson C. Smith University said the student residence hall experienced environmental issues after Helene’s heavy rainfall. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Over 200 students from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte are living in a hotel after their residence hall suffered storm damage caused by Helene, according to the school. The 213 students typically live on-campus in Greenfield Residence Hall, which houses freshman females at the university, but have been relocated while the school addresses “storm-related water…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — About 200 students from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte are living in a hotel after their residence hall suffered storm damage caused by Helene, according to the school. The 213 students typically live on-campus in Greenfield Residence Hall but have been relocated while the school addresses “storm-related water damage and increased moisture” after Helene. “Our top priority is the safety of our students, faculty, and staff; thus, we are taking steps…

Workers abandoned door-to-door visits after receiving threats that they could be targeted by a militia. RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal disaster workers paused and then changed some of their hurricane-recovery efforts in North Carolina, including abandoning door-to-door visits, after receiving threats that they could be targeted by a militia, officials said, as the government response to Helene is targeted by runaway disinformation. The threats emerged over the weekend. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday that it…

A storm system is forming several hundreds of miles west of the Caribbean. It has not yet generated hurricane-force winds. FLORIDA, USA — Misinformation about a coming “Hurricane Nadine” has flooded social media in the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Numerous posts online falsely claimed the storm was expected to make landfall on Oct. 18, with multiple pictures copying and pasting Hurricane Helene’s previous track. In reality, meteorologists have not yet confirmed the presence…

A storm system is forming several hundreds of miles west of the Caribbean. It has not yet generated hurricane-force winds. FLORIDA, USA — Misinformation about a coming “Hurricane Nadine” has flooded social media in the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Numerous posts online falsely claimed the storm was expected to make landfall on Oct. 18, with multiple pictures copying and pasting Hurricane Helene’s previous track. In reality, meteorologists have not yet confirmed the presence…

The playoff driver and his wife collected food for cats and dogs during aftermath of historic storm. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, star NASCAR driver Daniel Suárez wanted to make sure everyone got the help they needed, especially those with four legs. Suárez and his wife, Julia, collected dog and cat food and helped deliver it from Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I’m a big animal lover; I love all kinds of animals,”…

The playoff driver and his wife collected food for cats and dogs during aftermath of historic storm. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, star NASCAR driver Daniel Suárez wanted to make sure everyone got the help they needed, especially those with four legs. Suárez and his wife, Julia, collected dog and cat food and helped deliver it from Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I’m a big animal lover; I love all kinds of animals,”…

Governor’s executive order extends emergency period another 15 days. COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order Wednesday, Oct. 9, extending the state of emergency following Hurricane Helene for another 15 days. “We will work as long as it takes to ensure all South Carolinians get the support they need,” McMaster said in a social media post. The move allows the state to coordinate disaster relief efforts  Helene began dumping heavy…

A therapy dog named Poppy is offering snuggles and support to anyone who needs it in the Boone area. BANNER ELK, N.C. — As people struggle with loss in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, therapy dogs are providing some support. On Thursday in Banner Elk, the North Carolina Department of Insurance set up an insurance camp outside of Lowe’s. Several companies were there to provide assistance and answer questions about claims. Among the volunteers were…

Rain rates were up to 5 inches per hour at times. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Dozens of tornadoes spawned by Hurricane Milton caught many Floridians by surprise as they braced for heavy rain, strong winds and especially storm surges. Violent twisters were seen crossing highways, ripping off roofs and downing trees and power lines. There have been 38 preliminary eyewitness reports of tornadoes since Wednesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm…

Rain rates were up to 5 inches per hour at times. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Dozens of tornadoes spawned by Hurricane Milton caught many Floridians by surprise as they braced for heavy rain, strong winds and especially storm surges. Violent twisters were seen crossing highways, ripping off roofs and downing trees and power lines. There have been 38 preliminary eyewitness reports of tornadoes since Wednesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm…

Swift announced her generous donation to Feeding America. TAMPA, Fla. — Taylor Swift is helping hurricane-stricken communities by donating $5 million to Feeding America. The organization’s CEO, Clarie Babineaux-Fontenton, announced the music superstar’s generous donation to help victims of Hurricane Milton and Helene Wednesday on social media, saying they thank her for “standing with us in the movement to end hunger and helping communities in need…” “We’re incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift for her generous…

A Rutherford County family booked a hotel in their time of need, but ended up paying more than they expected. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sisters Karen Metcalf and Sherri Splawn, along with their families, were left without power, water, or cell service after Hurricane Helene hit their Bostic Sunshine neighborhood in western North Carolina. With Metcalf’s mobility issues and Splawn’s daughter in a wheelchair, they were desperate to find a safe place to stay, so they…

Applications for jobless benefits are widely considered representative of U.S. layoffs in a given week, but they can be volatile and susceptible to historic events. WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing for for unemployment benefits last week jumped to its highest level in a year, which analysts are saying is more likely a result of Hurricane Helene — and the Boeing machinist strike — than a broader softening in the labor market. The Labor…