Month: August 2019

Hurricane Dorian shut down some hotels in the northern Bahamas and forced some evacuations Saturday as the fierce Category 4 storm prepared to unleash torrents of rain and howling winds but was projected to spin farther away from the coast of the Southeast U.S. next week. Forecasters expect Dorian, packing 150 mph winds, to hit the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday before curving upward. The storm’s march north could spare the U.S. a direct hit but…

When the power goes out during a hurricane or tropical storm, follow these simple tips from AccuWeather to stay safe: Avoid downed power lines. Beware of power lines hidden in floodwaters, which can also pose an electrocution risk. Candles can pose a fire hazard, so use flashlights whenever possible. Turn off electric appliances to avoid a power surge when electricity is restored. Place generators at least 30 feet away from your home to prevent carbon…

During and after a hurricane, take caution with your drinking water. Depending on how the storm impacts infrastructure in your area, the water could become contaminated and could cause diseases like hepatitis, cholera and dysentery. Follow this tips from AccuWeather to ensure drinking water safety: Avoid cloudy or smelly water for bathing, brushing your teeth, ice making and cooking. Boil water for one minute and let it cool inside a clean container to kill most…

If we’ve learned anything from Hurricane Sandy or Katrina, it only takes one storm to make it a bad year, says AccuWeather. It doesn’t matter if tropical activity is high or low. You must always be prepared in the event of a hurricane.Planning your evacuation should be your first priority, especially if you live in an area prone to storm surges. Also, have a hurricane safety kit prepared in case of imminent threat. A hurricane…

Is your property prepared for high winds? If severe weather is in the forecast, follow these simple steps from AccuWeather to minimize damage: Secure outdoor items like trash bins and patio furniture that could blow away. Take down items like hanging plants that could be blown into windows or patio doors. Be sure that propane and other fuel tanks are properly secured. Remove any dead or rotting trees and limbs that could fall and cause…

Making sure you have enough food before a hurricane hits your area is one of the most important things to do. AccuWeather recommends stocking up on the following items: Non-perishable foods like ready-to-eat canned meat, fruits, and vegetables and canned juices can provide essential nutrients. Vitamins will help replace nutrients you would have eaten on a normal diet. Be sure to have samples like sugar, salt, pepper and spices. A basic supply of seasoning and…

Hurricane Dorian has gained fearsome new muscle as an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, bearing down on the northwestern Bahamas early Saturday en route to Florida’s east coast. Most global models now turning Dorian before a FL landfall, staying in warm water so significant weakening is unlikely. Too early to speculate impacts here in the Triangle, but looking more likely our coast will have heavy rain and some beach erosion on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/SiUG5xcOCE — Steve…

By WRAL Weather Raleigh, N.C. — As Hurricane Dorian moves toward the Bahamas and the continental United States on Saturday, the severity of its impact in North Carolina was unclear. Dorian was a Category 4 hurricane on Saturday, with winds at 145 mph. The storm is expected to hit the Bahamas on early Sunday, still as a Category 4 storm, which means having sustained wind speeds between 131 and 155 mph. Both the American and…

Hurricane Dorian has gained fearsome new muscle as an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, bearing down on the northwestern Bahamas early Saturday en route to Florida’s east coast. Most global models now turning Dorian before a FL landfall, staying in warm water so significant weakening is unlikely. Too early to speculate impacts here in the Triangle, but looking more likely our coast will have heavy rain and some beach erosion on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/SiUG5xcOCE — Steve…

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) — Duke and Judi Bickmore spent Friday evening unwinding at a relative’s home in Garner. The couple is not sure how long they’re staying, or what’s packed in suitcases for that matter. They hastily hit the road and left their central Florida home before sunrise ahead of Hurricane Dorian. “It was a big, mad dash,” Judi said. “I kept running from one thing to another.” They only had a few hours to…

The latest forecast for Hurricane Dorian shows the storm slowing and strengthening as it continues to lurch toward a catastrophic landfall in Florida. At 8:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, Dorian was located 445 miles east of the northwest Bahamas and about 625 miles east of West Palm Beach in Florida. It was a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and was moving west/northwest at 10 mph. The National Hurricane Center in…

By Tony Rice, WRAL contributor/NASA ambassador There is never a good time for a hurricane, but the latest models from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center point to Dorian arriving at an even less convenient time, near a perigean new moon. The tides are caused by gravitational interaction between the Earth, Moon and Sun. Oceans bulge toward the Moon and another bulge forms on the opposite side as the Earth itself is pulled towards the Moon. This…

The latest forecast for Hurricane Dorian shows the storm slowing and strengthening as it continues to lurch toward a catastrophic landfall in Florida. At 2 p.m. EDT on Friday, Dorian was located 445 miles east of the northwest Bahamas and about 625 miles east of West Palm Beach in Florida. It was a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving northwest at 10 mph. The National Hurricane Center in…

LAKELAND, Fla. — Reconnaissance missions are an important part of storm preparation as a hurricane approaches, but one recent NOAA reconnaissance flight made history. The Lakeland-based NOAA Aircraft Operations Center said Thursday that it had flown its first recon mission with an all-female, three-pilot flight crew ahead of Hurricane Dorian. It was staffed by Capt. Kristie Twining, Cmdr. Rebecca Waddington and Lt. Lindsey Norman. The trio flew aboard NOAA’s Gulfstream IV jet, nicknamed “Gonzo,” which…