Helene forced a North Carolina restaurant owner to leave his home. He just lost his 'Cabin of Hope' in recent wildfires

Helene forced a North Carolina restaurant owner to leave his home. He just lost his 'Cabin of Hope' in recent wildfires

Hendersonville, North Carolina (CNN) — Months ago, a washed-out bridge damaged during Hurricane Helene’s flooding temporarily blocked Matthew Rogers from returning to his beloved North Carolina cabin. The lakeside property in Flat Rock that has been in his family for around 40 years – and has come to represent healing and hope, Rogers says – became a casualty of the recent wildfires in the state. After seeing the home he affectionately named the Cabin of…

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New wetlands project aims to ease chronic flooding

New wetlands project aims to ease chronic flooding

A new state-led project aims to keep roads dry and hospital access open during storms in a flood-prone part of Goldsboro. State officials broke ground Friday on a natural infrastructure pilot project behind Wayne Community College, where frequent flooding has been known to cut off access to nearby Wayne Memorial Hospital. The site will be transformed into a stormwater wetland and detention basin, designed to collect and slowly release rainwater before it overwhelms roads and…

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Six months since Hurricane Helene, Ashe County residents struggling to rebuild

Six months since Hurricane Helene, Ashe County residents struggling to rebuild

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene, some western North Carolina communities are still struggling to get clean water. In Ashe County, 100 miles from Asheville, Michelle Denny is struggling to repair her family home that’s been passed down through generations. Denny said Sept. 27, 2024, the day Helene destroyed her grandmother’s Fleetwood home, feels like yesterday. She has lived there her entire life.  “They had to come around here and come to the front door by boat,” Denny said, describing the…

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15,000 fortified roofs: NC invests in hurricane-ready homes

15,000 fortified roofs: NC invests in hurricane-ready homes

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 than $100 million into programs that help coastal homeowners upgrade to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) FORTIFIED Roof standard. “The best defense against storms is…

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Waterspout and tornadoes at NC coast, 8 people injured in Perquimans County

Waterspout and tornadoes at NC coast, 8 people injured in Perquimans County

Two EF-1 tornadoes and a waterspout were confirmed in North Carolina following severe weather that hit the state late Sunday. Eight people were injured after a confirmed tornado destroyed multiple homes in Perquimans County early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Perquimans County is located in the northeast portion of North Carolina, close to Edenton. WITN reports three trailers at Longview Estates in Woodville were destroyed and several others damaged by the EF-1…

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Severe storms, flooding make mess for drivers on the road Sunday

Severe storms, flooding make mess for drivers on the road Sunday

Intense rain, wind and storms made for a mess on the roads on Sunday during a WRAL Weather Alert Day. Flooded roads caused travel headaches for drivers in Wake County, as several areas of ponding water were spotted on Capital Boulevard near Old Louisburg Road. Much of the standing water was a result of intense rain during a flash flood warning in Wake County. The wet roads also made problems for drivers around the Triangle….

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Triangle-area residents still reeling from storm damage brace for another round

Triangle-area residents still reeling from storm damage brace for another round

Sunday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day, as the chance for severe storms with damaging winds and localized flooding threaten part of Central North Carolina. Residents impacted by storms on March 5 are on edge about the intensity of round two.  WRAL revisited Walden Pond Drive in Raleigh, where storm cleanup continues. A damaged tree could be seen on Walden Pond Drive.  Wake County resident Raien Nwakuche said its an example of Mother Nature’s power. …

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Tornado drills to take place at schools across North Carolina Friday morning

Tornado drills to take place at schools across North Carolina Friday morning

Friday morning, schools across the state are preparing for a tornado drill as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week. … The National Weather Service in cooperation with local broadcasters will conduct a statewide tornado drill on Friday, March 7. The alarm test will activate the Emergency Alert System and be carried by local radio broadcasters. The tornado drill was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was rescheduled for Friday to avoid confusion; North Carolina had four tornado…

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Bill would make it easier for homeowners to afford upgrades to protect from storm damage

Bill would make it easier for homeowners to afford upgrades to protect from storm damage

A new bipartisan bill introduced in Congress aims to remove federal taxes on disaster mitigation grants, a move that could make stormproofing homes more affordable for North Carolinians. The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., and Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., would exclude catastrophe mitigation payments from taxable income, ensuring that homeowners who receive grants to strengthen their homes against hurricanes, floods and wildfires don’t face a tax burden. “Catastrophe…

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National Weather Service says EF-1 tornado touched down in Union County

National Weather Service says EF-1 tornado touched down in Union County

A preliminary investigation by the National Weather Service indicates an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds touched down in Union County during Wednesday morning’s severe weather. A spokesperson for the NWS said the possible tornado touched down at approximately 8:34 a.m. It covered approximately 2.2 miles on the ground in about three minutes before lifting to the sky. The storm caused damage to several structures in the area of Friendly Baptist Church and Ridge Road,…

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Trees uprooted in Raleigh neighborhoods, students shelter in place as tornado warning passes through Wake County

Trees uprooted in Raleigh neighborhoods, students shelter in place as tornado warning passes through Wake County

Large trees fell Wednesday in several Raleigh neighborhoods during the time that a tornado warning was issued for the area. Before 1 p.m., a large tree blocked the entrance to the Timbers Apartments off Millbrook Road. A line of cars formed, and residents couldn’t access the complex. WRAL News was there as a group of volunteers used handsaws and lifting power to remove the tree. The large tree was completely uprooted. A tornado has not…

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Carolina Hurricanes host Boston Bruins in pre-trade deadline game on WRAL

Carolina Hurricanes host Boston Bruins in pre-trade deadline game on WRAL

By WRAL Staff Boston Bruins Carolina Hurricanes ESPN+ | Thursday, March 6th 7:00 PM EST The Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, and the game airs on WRAL. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET Thursday at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. The Hurricanes (36-22-4) are second in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division, trailing the Washington Capitals. This season, the Canes are on pace to make their seventh consecutive playoff appearance…

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Trees uprooted in Raleigh neighborhoods after tornado warning

Trees uprooted in Raleigh neighborhoods after tornado warning

Large trees fell Wednesday in several Raleigh neighborhoods during the time that a tornado warning was issued for the area. Before 1 p.m., a large tree blocked the entrance to the Timbers Apartments off Millbrook Road. A line of cars formed, and residents couldn’t access the complex. WRAL News was there as a group of volunteers used handsaws and lifting power to remove the tree. The large tree was completely uprooted. A tornado has not…

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Storm damage reported after possible tornado in Union County

Storm damage reported after possible tornado in Union County

Hundreds are without power after severe storms caused damage in Union County Wednesday. WCNC Charlotte viewers have informed our newsroom about storm damage near Porter Ridge High School, which is in Indian Trail. Photos shared with Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich show downed trees and small buildings that experienced damage. The storm snapped power poles and toppled power lines along Lawyers Road and Highway 106. Around 8:30 a.m., the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tornado warning…

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Live updates: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Durham & Chapel Hill; reports of possible tornado damage near Charlotte

Live updates: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Durham & Chapel Hill; reports of possible tornado damage near Charlotte

Alerts Tornado watch in effect for Triangle and several other counties Severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Durham and Chapel Hill until 11:15 a.m. A severe thunderstorm warning is also in effect for Chatham, Lee, Moore and two other counties until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day, with a rare Level 3 risk for severe storms. We have a line of strong-to-severe thunderstorms expected to impact central North Carolina from 9 a.m….

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