Raleigh North Carolina News

A possible tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon at Blowing Rock as Hurricane Helene moves in. WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich shared video sent in by a viewer showing strong rotation at Chetola Resort just north of Blowing Rock. The National Weather Service has not confirmed if a tornado has touched down. A tornado warning was issued in Watauga County Wednesday night as the storm cell continues hammering the mountains. While Hurricane Helene is still moving in,…

A tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon at Blowing Rock as Hurricane Helene moves in. WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich shared video sent in by a viewer showing strong rotation at Chetola Resort just north of Blowing Rock. A tornado warning was issued in Watauga County Wednesday night as the storm cell continues hammering the mountains. While Hurricane Helene is still moving in, it was not the cause of the tornado as a band of storms is…

Duke Energy is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Helene – and is encouraging others to do the same. Duke Energy said it’s closely monitoring the projected track of Helene, the latest tropical system developing in the Caribbean that’s expected to impact North Carolina later this week. “Our line technicians and tree crews are diligently preparing and will be ready to respond,” Duke Energy said. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, high winds…

Duke Energy is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Helene – and is encouraging others to do the same. Duke Energy said it’s closely monitoring the projected track of Helene, the latest tropical system developing in the Caribbean that’s expected to impact North Carolina later this week. “Our line technicians and tree crews are diligently preparing and will be ready to respond,” Duke Energy said. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, high winds…

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Helene rapidly strengthened in the Caribbean Sea and was expected to become a hurricane Wednesday while moving north along Mexico’s coast toward the U.S., leading residents to evacuate, schools to close, and officials to declare emergencies in Florida and Georgia. The storm is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it passes near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, and to intensify and grow…

The annual IBMA World of Bluegrass festival, set to take over downtown Raleigh, is no stranger to weather-related challenges. Two years ago, organizers were forced to move festivities indoors due to Hurricane Ian’s approach. This year, Tropical Storm Helene is prompting similar preparations for both the festival and other Triangle events. “If there’s anything threatening to the people, they will not run,” Loretta Byrd, Benson Chamber of Commerce said. Loretta Byrd from Benson Chamber of…

Tropical Storm Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea and could strengthen into a major hurricane while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters said. Heavy rains and big waves already lashed the Cayman Islands, and some Florida residents began to evacuate or fill sandbags ahead of anticipated flooding. Helene was expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Wednesday, and it could become a major hurricane before it arrives on Florida’s Gulf Coast as soon as…

PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico (AP) — Tropical Storm John struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast with life-threatening flood potential after growing into a major hurricane in a matter of hours. It came ashore near the town of Punta Maldonado late Monday night as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph). It weakened back to tropical storm status early Tuesday with maximum sustained wind speeds of 70 mph (110 kph) and was…

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane watches were issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico on Monday as a cluster of storms south of the Cayman Islands was expected to strengthen into a major hurricane while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters said. The disturbance is forecast to become Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. “It could certainly become a major…

In Brunswick County, wildlife rehabilitators are seeing an increase in animal rescue calls after heavy flooding in the area. Flooding is not only difficult for humans, but for animals too. The excess water can cause animals to be displaced from where they belong. Potential tropical Cyclone Eight brought historic rain to Brunswick County, you can learn more here from our previous coverage. Places like Chevalier’s Wildlife Rehabilitation have had their hands full trying to take…

On Monday, Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 is bringing heavy rain, strong winds and a threat for tornadoes, flooding and power outages to North Carolina. The biggest impacts from PTC #8 will be felt the second half of Monday and into Tuesday. According to WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels, PTC #8 could become Helene on Monday, but the impact to North Carolina will be the same even if the storm isn’t named. Flood watches and wind advisories…

Heavy rain and strong winds from Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 are pounding North Carolina’s coast. Monday morning, Wrightsville Beach was enduring thunder, lightning, strong winds and pouring rain. Beachgoers told WRAL News waves were crashing onto the top of Johnnie Mercers pier. Conditions were worse in Carolina Beach, where many homes were flooded with up to 6 inches of standing water. Helpful links: Sign up for WRAL weather alerts | Live DUALDoppler5000 | Wind speeds…

Heavy rain and strong winds from Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 are pounding North Carolina’s coast. Monday morning, Wrightsville Beach was enduring thunder, lightning, strong winds and pouring rain. Beachgoers told WRAL News waves were crashing onto the Johnnie Mercers pier. Conditions were worse in Carolina Beach, where many homes were flooded with up to 6 inches of water. Helpful links: Sign up for WRAL weather alerts | Live DUALDoppler5000 | Wind speeds and wind gusts…

On Monday, Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 is bringing heavy rain, strong winds and a threat for tornadoes, flooding and power outages to North Carolina. The biggest impacts from PTC #8 will be felt throughout Monday and into Tuesday. According to WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels, PTC #8 could become Helene on Monday, but the impact to North Carolina will be the same even if the storm isn’t named. Flood watches and wind advisories are in effect…

Tropical systems can often spawn tornadoes. WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels explains why. As tropical systems move over land, Michaels said the friction increases. This creates wind shear, which causes air to start spinning in the atmosphere. Tornadoes then become possible. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) said there are four necessary ingredients for tropical systems to spawn tornadoes: Moisture, instability, lift and vertical shear. Moisture Moisture is pretty self-explanatory. We refer to it as humidity, which…