Month: November 2018

Prolonged rain is filling and in one case spilling lakes, with Lake Wylie inching toward full pond. By 9 a.m. Thursday, Lake Wylie rose to within a foot of its spilling point. Lake Wateree downstream already surpassed that point, known as full pond, by half a foot. Lakes James and Hickory upstream, along with Fishing Creek and Cedar Creek lakes downstream, also registered within a foot of full pond. Other lakes including Norman and Mountain…

Lawmakers in the Georgia House are preparing to vote on $470 million in hurricane relief proposals in addition to reconsidering a controversial tax break for airlines. The House votes were scheduled Thursday on the third day of a special legislative session called by Gov. Nathan Deal. The governor wants $270 million for emergency aid and debris cleanup in communities of southern Georgia devastated by Hurricane Michael. He’s also calling for $200 million in tax incentives…

A storm system moving northeastward away from the area Thursday will produce locally heavy rainfall in the morning that can lead to flooding in poor drainage areas before tapering off.It will be a chilly rain too, as high temperatures will be in the middle 40s. Winds will strong at times too, with gusts up to 35 mph. Clouds will begin to break Thursday night and Friday will turn mostly sunny as high pressure begins to…

By Kat Campbell and Elizabeth Gardner,WRAL meteorologists Raleigh, N.C. — We’ll have to get through a flood watch, chilly temperatures and plenty of rain Thursday before enjoying a beautiful weekend. A flood watch is in effect for most of the state and the entire viewing area until 7 p.m. According to meteorologist Kat Campbell, another 1 to 2 inches of rain are likely Thursday, which could lead to flooding along creeks, streams and rivers. “In…

With at least 130 people still missing, National Guard troops searched Wednesday through charred debris for more victims of California’s deadliest wildfire as top federal and state officials toured the ruins of a community completely destroyed by the flames. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke joined Gov. Jerry Brown on a visit to the leveled town of Paradise, telling reporters it was the worst fire devastation he had ever seen. “Now is not the time to point…

Wildfire experts say the Northern California wildfire that has killed at least 48 is the deadliest in a century. California officials say the fire burning in a rural area far north of San Francisco killed more people than any blaze in the state’s recorded history. But the U.S. government doesn’t closely track civilian casualties. and records from long ago are incomplete. Stephen Pyne, a regent professor at Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences and…

CAMARILLO, Calif. — A rabbit rescued from a Ventura County wildfire zone is on the mend after being burned over much of his body. The male rabbit was discovered along the road in Thousand Oaks, California, on Friday and admitted to a Ventura County Animal Services shelter. In photos shared by VCAS, much of the animal’s fur is visibly singed black, his nose and ears are burnt and the area around his eyes is red….

Highly regarded basketball recruits Anthony Walker of Nottingham, Maryland, and Isaiah Wong of Trenton, New Jersey, have signed with the Miami Hurricanes. Walker is a 6-for-9, 210-pound power forward who helped Perry Hall in Baltimore to two state championships. Wong is a 6-foot-3 guard who averaged 22.2 points as a junior for Monsignor Bonner. Wednesday was the first day of the November signing period. Coach Jim Larranaga’s Hurricanes have no true freshmen on their roster.

Creating fire buffers between housing and dry brush, burying spark-prone power lines and lighting more controlled burns to keep vegetation in check could give people a better chance of surviving wildfires, according to experts searching for ways to reduce growing death tolls from increasingly severe blazes in California and across the U.S. West. Western wildfires have grown ever more lethal, a grim reality that’s been driven by more housing developments sprawling into the most fire-prone…

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper visited the nation’s capital on Wednesday to rally support for significant federal assistance for recovery from Hurricane Florence. In meetings at the Capitol and the White House, Cooper touted North Carolina’s own investment in relief efforts to shore up backing for an additional $5 billion. “When you’re talking about a $17 billion loss from this storm, we know we’re going to need help from all kinds…

LUMBERTON, N,C, (WTVD) — Wednesday marked two months since Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina. Much of Lumberton and Robeson County are still focusing on rebuilding efforts. Watch the video to find out how residents and local churches are rebuilding after the storm. This story will be updated later. (Copyright ©2018 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.)

By Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter Spring Lake, N.C. — A small church in Spring Lake received so much damage from flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence that, two months later, they are still recovering. Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, which has been in Cumberland County since 1909, had been flooded only once before, during Hurricane Matthew in 2016, pastor Floyd Benfield said. Matthew swept in enough water to rip out the floors, and the…

By Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter Wrightsville Beach, N.C. — Two months ago today, Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, bringing winds of 90 miles per hour and heavy rain. Heavy rains from the storm flooded countless homes and businesses, causing nearly $17 billion in damage, and that was just in North Carolina. Some residents in New Hanover County are still struggling to recover from the monster storm. Kitty Brunjes: “You can’t live in it”…