Month: July 2019

What to know ahead of tonight’s Democratic debate Tropical system in Atlantic could become storm, depression Fed announces first rate cut since 2008: What does it mean? Losing leg to cancer doesn’t slow down marathon running Cary mom Corpse flower at NC State expected to bloom Wednesday night

By Alfred Charles, WRAL.com managing editor, and Deborah Strange, digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — The Triangle is under a Level 1, or marginal risk, for severe weather because of instability in the atmosphere that could bring heavy downpours and gusty winds to the region. WRAL News meteorologist Mike Maze said the storms could form as the sun’s energy triggers isolated storms from the moisture in the air. There’s a 30 percent chance of rain on…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist and Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist August marks the first official month of hurricane season, and according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, North Carolina is watching Africa. According to Gardner, in early August, it’s the systems that start developing off the coast of Africa that have the most potential to affect North Carolina and its surrounding states. “Those tend to stick closer to the east coast and have a bigger…

KARACHI, Pakistan — Heavy monsoon rains have lashed Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, triggering floods and killing six people. Authorities closed schools. Dr Seemi Jamali, spokeswoman at the city’s Jinnah Hospital, says the deaths were caused by electrocution as power cables got inundated with water. The heavy rainfall began on Monday and continued on Tuesday and sewage flooded most of the streets in Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province. According to the Meteorological…

MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Erick has formed in the Pacific far off the western coast of Mexico and is predicted to become a hurricane by Monday as it moves over open waters on a path that could take it near the Hawaiian Islands by late in the week. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Sunday that the storm was about 1,500 miles (2,410 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula…

By Mike Maze, WRAL meteorologist You often hear us talk about categories of hurricanes. It’s the wind speed along the Saffir Simpson Scale that dictates what the category is with each storm. We can predict what kind of damage will be done to your home and surroundings based on how strong the winds will be. With a Category 1, damage from this kind of storm is minimal. Some shingles will come off homes and trees…

By AMANDA MORRIS, Associated Press SPRING LAKE, N.C. — The heating and air conditioning in Carrie Johnson’s home — damaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 — still wasn’t fixed when Hurricane Florence flooded her house last September. Now, her home of over 50 years is gutted, the flooring and walls nothing more than bare wooden beams smelling faintly of river water. Estimated damage to the home is over $52,000, she said. The 81-year-old received about…

By Jason O. Boyd, WRAL.com digital reporter Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service confirms two tornadoes touched down during the storms we received on Tuesday. The NWS said a brief EF-0 tornado touched down in Willow Springs in Wake County. Suggested wind speeds were between 75-85 mph and led to snapped and uprooted trees, minor siding damage to a home and numerous fences blown down. WRAL’s Kasey Cunningham spoke with one family who had…

An EF-0 tornado touched down in Willow Spring followed by an EF-1 tornado in Clayton during Tuesday’s storms. The National Weather Service said the EF-0 tornado touched down in Willow Spring just after 2:30 p.m. and traveled for 1.2 miles with speeds of 75-85 mph. The tornado in Clayton happened at 3 p.m. and traveled .25 miles with speeds of 80-90 mph. No injuries were reported. Copyright © 2019 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

By Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporter Raleigh, N.C. — When the Bowden family saw drivers slowing down along the road Tuesday, they thought maybe there was a tree down. What they didn’t realize is the neighbors were checking out all of the damage in the couple’s front yard. A North Carolina summer means storms. And this summer is no exception. Each storm has impacted neighborhoods all over the Triangle. This time around was no different. “Of…

By Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter Wendell, N.C. — When thunderstorms rock eastern Wake County, the threat is all too real for some Wendell residents. The imprint of a May tornado is still visible on the Parkers’ farm. Piles of trees and what used to be a hay barn are reminders of how powerful that storm was. And a severe storm forecast forces them to think about the present while still working on cleanup of the…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — Johnston, Wayne and Wilson counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning as a cold front marching through the region triggers severe weather with torrential downpours, lightning and gusty winds. According to the National Weather Service, the severe thunderstorm warning for those three counties extends through 4:15 p.m. WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said. Those same counties had been under a tornado warning but it was allowed to…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — A tornado warning has been issued for Johnston, Wayne and Wilson counties as severe weather marches through the region. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado warning is in effect until 3:30 p.m., and WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said residents in those areas should take cover as a precaution. The radar-indicated storm shows a cell moving over Clayton as of 3:07 p.m., Maze said. “Remain…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — Much of central North Carolina is under the threat of severe weather Tuesday as a cold front moves through the region, bringing the possibility of heavy downpours, gusty winds and lightning. At 2:30 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Harnett, Johnston and Wake counties until 3:30 p.m. A severe thunderstorm watch, which means conditions are right for storms to form, is in effect…

CHAPEL HILL – A “regime shift” defined as “large, persistent changes in the structure and function of social-ecological systems, with substantive impacts on the suite of ecosystem services provided by these systems” appears to be underway for coastal North Carolina with precipitation levels in recent storms being “off the charts,” say researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill. Driving the change is climate change, they conclude. Citing data accumulated since 1898, the researchers note that six of the…

ABC11 is in First Alert Mode as many parts of the viewing area are under risk for severe weather Tuesday.Heavy showers and thunderstorms will be seen across the region Tuesday as a strong cold front slinks its way across North Carolina.CHECK THE RADAR HERE. Active warnings: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Chatham, Harnett, Lee and Wake counties until 2:30 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for all of the ABC11…

ABC11 is in First Alert Mode as many parts of the viewing area are under risk for severe weather on Tuesday.Heavy showers and thunderstorms will be seen across the region Tuesday as a strong cold front slinks its way across North Carolina. With lots of humidity for the storms to feast on from the previous few days, the rainfall has the potential to be very heavy, producing flooding rain and damaging winds. Raleigh and areas…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — Much of central North Carolina is under the threat of severe weather Tuesday as a cold front moves through the region, bringing the possibility of heavy downpours, gusty winds and lightning. A flash flood watch was issued for numerous counties, including Durham, Johnston, Orange, Wake and Wilson, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Several areas are under a Level 2 risk for severe weather, including Fayetteville,…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — The Triangle and southeastern areas are under a level 2 threat for severe weather, with frequent lightning, heavy rain and damaging winds possible, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. Areas to the northwest are under a level 1 alert. A cold front is moving eastward, pushing the storms through with cooler temperatures. Tuesday’s high is expected to be 80 degrees. Rain fell early Tuesday morning but was…

LISBON, Portugal — Emergency services in Portugal say they have brought under control 90 percent of a huge wildfire which has raged for four days and injured 39 people. But officials are warning Tuesday that forecasts for afternoon temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius and gusting winds could drive the flames further through dense pine and eucalyptus forests on hilly terrain. The Civil Protection Agency says just over 1,000 firefighters and 328 vehicles are continuing…

LISBON, Portugal — Some 1,000 firefighters are working to contain wildfires in central Portugal that have already injured eight firefighters and 12 civilians, authorities said Sunday. Portugal’s Civil Protection Agency said the fires broke out Saturday across three fronts in the district of Castelo Branco, 200 kilometers (124 miles) northeast of Lisbon, the capital. Firefighters are being supported by 10 firefighting aircraft and hundreds of vehicles. It’s the first major bout of wildfires in Portugal…