By Jason O. Boyd, WRAL.com editor Raleigh, N.C. — State officials announced Friday there will be a series of 15 community disaster information sessions to provide an update on recovery resources that are available in hurricane-impacted areas of eastern North Carolina. The Office of Governor Roy Cooper, North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, North Carolina Emergency Management and the state departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services will be partnering to host…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — The Triangle and northeastern parts of North Carolina are under a level 2 risk for severe weather on Friday. Most other parts of the state are under a level 1 risk. Strong thunderstorms could hit any part of central North Carolina, meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said, but storms are most likely in Raleigh, Durham, Rocky Mount and northward and eastward into Virginia. Damaging winds and heavy rain are…

We’re going to see some wet weather Friday night, which might interfere with your weekend plans. The entire ABC11 viewing area is at risk for severe weather Friday–part of the area is at a level 2 risk while the rest is at a level 1 risk. The storms could move in any time during the afternoon, but are more likely in the evening.ABC11 Meteorologist Don “Big Weather” Schwenneker said temperatures will rise into the low-90s…

MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Ivo continues to move northwestward off Mexico’s western coast, though it appears to have peaked in power and is no longer forecast to grow into a hurricane. The U.S. National Hurricane Center initially had expected Ivo to reach hurricane strength by Friday, but it said that by Thursday afternoon the storm wasn’t gaining strength and probably would remain stable until beginning to weaken Saturday as it remains well offshore and…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — Most of the state, including all of central North Carolina, is under a level 1 threat for severe weather for Thursday. “We should be clear until 2 or 3 p.m.,” said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. After 3 p.m., rain and storms could start to rumble in the Triangle, and severe weather could continue through midnight. “Some of these storms may be on the stronger side,” Gardner said….

By Elizabeth Gardner & Aimee Wilmoth, WRAL meteorologists Raleigh, N.C. — The entire viewing area and most of the state is under a level 1 threat for severe weather for Thursday. While the early afternoon should be quiet, storms are expected to move into central North Carolina late afternoon and stick around through midnight, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. “Some of these storms may be on the stronger side,” Gardner said. “Damaging winds, heavy…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — A level 1 threat for severe weather has been expanded throughout most of North Carolina as two fronts move into the state Thursday. A disturbance is moving in from the northwest, and a sea-breeze front is moving inland. Earlier in the morning, Wake County and northern areas were under the threat. While the early afternoon should be quiet, storms are expected to move into central North Carolina…

By Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter Fayetteville, N.C. — Some victims of Hurricanes Matthew, Florence and Michael are finally closer to moving into a new home. Construction is underway at a new Habitat for Humanity community in Fayetteville off Old Bunce Road. Foundations are poured at Oakridge Estates, where Fayetteville Habitat for Humanity is building 47 homes, 15 of them will be for families impacted by the hurricanes dating back to Hurricane Matthew in 2016….

We’re approaching the peak of hurricane season and the tropics are starting to heat up. Tropical Storm Chantal formed far out in the Atlantic Tuesday. Maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph on Wednesday. Chantal was moving eastward at about 22 mph. Chantal will weaken to a tropical depression this weekend and it will not be a threat to land. Meanwhile, a disturbance near the Bahamas has a 20 percent chance of becoming a tropical…

As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Chantal continued to race eastward over the North Atlantic, approximately 445 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph. Chantal was moving eastward at about 22 mph. Moderate to strong vertical wind shear is currently impacting Chantal, pushing most of the deep convection to the east of the center of circulation. This wind shear will likely prevent Chantal from strengthening over the next couple…

By Associated Press MADRID — Authorities in the Canary Islands say cooler temperatures and weaker winds are helping firefighters to progress in bringing Spain’s biggest wildfire so far this year under control, permitting just under half of the more than 10,000 people evacuated to return home. The islands’ emergency service tweeted Wednesday that the “favorable development of the fire,” meant 4,500 evacuees could go back home. Spanish national television said it was hoped that some…

BEIJING — At least 201 people have been killed and 63 are missing following flooding across China in July and August, according to government rescue services. The most recent deaths came in mountainous western Sichuan province, where eight were killed and 23 missing as of Wednesday morning. Earlier in August, 39 were killed and nine left missing by Typhoon Lekima. The total for July was 154 killed and 31 missing, with more than 1.3 million…

MADRID — The wind dropped overnight in the Canary Islands, allowing firefighters to make progress Tuesday against Spain’s biggest wildfire so far this year. Canary Islands President Ángel Víctor Torres said 16 water-dropping aircraft took off at first light amid “a lot more favorable” weather conditions than the previous day. Some 700 firefighters were battling the blaze. More than 12,000 hectares (46,000 square miles) have been charred on the western slopes of Gran Canaria, an…

By DAN JOLING, Associated Press ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska’s wildfire season usually ends well before mid-August but persistent hot, dry weather has contributed to the start of new fires and the spread of old ones. High winds Saturday damaged power lines or knocked trees into lines, sparking multiple fires, including one that temporarily shut down the highway between Anchorage and Denali National Park and burned more than 50 structures, said Tim Mowry, spokesman for the…

By Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter New Bern, N.C. — Imagine losing everything in a hurricane and having to start over. The Green Chair Project in Raleigh has helped 200 families, setting them up with furniture, linens, kitchen items. They even come and put it all together. It’s more than giving people furniture; they’re giving hurricane victims like Monnie Hunnings hope. Hunnings, 66, is battling throat cancer and heart disease. He lost his Craven County home…

RALEIGH (WTVD) — The pictures from Jason Swicegood’s home look like they could have been taken from Hurricane Florence. They’re not. “There was 10 inches of water in here,” Swicegood said in his basement, which is barely below grade. “Every time we have a big thunderstorm or they’re predicting heavy rains, we’re worried about what’s going to happen next if we’re going to be flooded again.” Swicegood is among a growing community of Raleigh homeowners…

By Ashley Strickland, CNN CNN — In regions of the United States and Mexico that are prone to hurricanes, aggressive spiders are evolving to survive and ride out the storm. When hurricanes rage along the Gulf of Mexico or charge up the East Coast, they can reshape an entire habitat in a short time. The winds destroy trees and spread debris for miles, putting new pressure on the creatures living in these environments. But how…