Month: October 2020

By PATTY NIEBERG, Associated Press/Report for America DENVER — Orange skies, winds gusting up to 70 mph, smoke tornadoes and hazardous air. While it could be an apocalyptic scene out of a movie, it has become the reality of Colorado’s wildfire season. The blazes have burned the second-most acreage since 2000 and included the state’s two largest on record. One of Colorado’s smaller fires exploded late Wednesday from 30 square miles (78 square kilometers) to…

By Derrick Bryson Taylor and Johnny Diaz, New York Times Hurricane Epsilon continued to churn toward Bermuda on Thursday afternoon after making what the National Hurricane Center called a “wobbly” turn toward the northwest. The storm, the 10th hurricane of an extremely active Atlantic season, was about 200 miles east of Bermuda, according to a 5 p.m. Eastern advisory from the hurricane center. Epsilon weakened over the course of the morning and was moving north-northwest…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Hurricane Epsilon intensified into a category 3 hurricane Wednesday afternoon. According to the National Hurricane Center, Epsilon has maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The storm is moving northwest at 10 mph. The NHC said Epsilon is now a “major hurricane” and that the storm has repeatedly defied expectations as it intensified. Epsilon is forecast weaken slightly as it moves northward tonight and passes Bermuda on Thursday afternoon or evening. Bermuda…

By Derrick Bryson Taylor, New York Times The National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Epsilon to a Category 2 storm Wednesday afternoon, noting that it was rapidly intensifying as it approached Bermuda. Epsilon is now the 10th hurricane of an intense and active Atlantic storm season that still has more than a month to go. Epsilon is moving northwestward over the central Atlantic at 9 mph, according the center’s 2 p.m. Eastern advisory, with maximum sustained…

By Zach Maloch, WRAL meteorologist The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season continues to add insult to injury. As Alexander would say “it’s been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year” and, of course, we are not only talking about hurricane season. So far, the Atlantic hurricane season has seen 26 named storms: 10 becoming hurricanes and 3 becoming major hurricanes. Of the 26 named storms, 23 set records for forming earlier than any of their…

Miami — Epsilon strengthened into a Cat. 1 hurricane on Tuesday night with winds of 75 mph. The storm is currently about 545 miles southeast of Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center said the storm is currently movingat 13 mph. The storm is expected to make a slight northwest turn on Thursday. Epsilon will makes its closet approach to Bermuda on Thursday night. Additional strengthening of the storm is expected over the next couple days. Epsilon…

Miami — Epsilon strengthened into a Cat. 1 hurricane on Tuesday night with winds of 75 mph. The storm is currently about 545 miles southeast of Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center said the storm is currently movingat 13 mph. The storm is expected to make a slight northwest turn on Thursday. Epsilon will makes its closet approach to Bermuda on Thursday night. Additional strengthening of the storm is expected over the next couple days. Epsilon…

Miami — Epsilon strengthened into a Cat. 1 hurricane on Tuesday night with winds of 75 mph. The storm is currently about 545 miles southeast of Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center said the storm is currently movingat 13 mph. The storm is expected to make a slight northwest turn on Thursday. Epsilon will makes its closet approach to Bermuda on Thursday night. Additional strengthening of the storm is expected over the next couple days. Epsilon…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Tropical Storm Epsilon strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday evening. According to the National Hurricane Center, Epsilon has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The storm is moving northwest at 13 mph. Epsilon is forecast for remain at hurricane strength by the time it approaches Bermuda Thursday. Epsilon should not threaten North Carolina or any other state in the USA. However, the storm will churn up the sea.“If you have weekend plans…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Tropical Storm Epsilon is starting to move toward Bermuda after sitting stationary for nearly a full day. According to the National Hurricane Center, Epsilon has maximum sustained winds at about 45 miles per hour and is now moving northwest at 3 miles per hour. The tropical storm is around 750 miles southeast of Bermuda. It is expected to strengthen into a hurricane sometime Tuesday. Epsilon should not threaten North Carolina or…

Miami — After a few quiet weeks in the tropics, Tropical Storm Epsilon formed southeast of Bermuda on Monday. Epsilon could become a Category 1 hurricane within the next 72 hours, with Bermuda in the forecast cone. The storm is currently 730 miles southeast of Bermuda. “We do expect it to intensify and the forward motion increase,” said WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze. As of the 11 p.m. advisory on Monday, the storm is moving 2…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Tropical Storm Epsilon formed Monday morning in the Atlantic Ocean about 735 miles southeast of Bermuda. Epsilon has maximum sustained winds near 40 miles per hour and it is not moving. The storm is expected to continue to strengthen over the next 72 hours. It should also start moving to its northwest sometime Tuesday. Epsilon is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday. It could approach Bermuda as a hurricane…

After a few quiet weeks in the tropics, Tropical Storm Epsilon formed northeast of Bermuda on Monday. Epsilon could become a Category 1 hurricane within the next 72 hours, with Bermuda in the forecast cone. Currently, the U.S. is expected to see indirect impacts only, with rip currents possible along the coast by the end of the week. One other area to watch is a low pressure system that could form over the western Caribbean…

DES MOINES, Iowa — Damage estimates from a rare wind storm that slammed Iowa and some other parts of the Midwest in August are growing, with the total now at $7.5 billion, according to a new report. The Aug. 10 storm hit Iowa hard but also caused damage in Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Indiana. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it’s currently the second-costliest U.S. disaster so far in 2020, although cost estimates for…

LOS ANGELES — The Trump administration has rejected California’s request for federal financial assistance during the state’s worst wildfire season in history. California is filing an appeal, but Trump’s rejection could leave California struggling to cope with the cost, despite the fact the federal government controls 57% of California’s forested lands. Gov. Gavin Newsom has estimated potential federal assistance at $346 million, including $200 million for the Creek Fire alone. Officials could not provide a…

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — One of two Rocky Mountain wildfires fanned by strong winds has become the largest in Colorado history. Firefighters expected windy weather to continue into the weekend but said they were well-positioned to keep the Cameron Peak Fire from burning more cabins in the mountains west of Fort Collins, Colorado. About 90 fire engines and 500 firefighters were in place Thursday to protect homes and other buildings along the fire’s especially active…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — After a record-breaking hurricane season, the Atlantic storm basin has been relatively quiet over the past couple days. However, the National Hurricane Center is now monitoring three potential systems. None of the three are likely to develop into a serious storm, but if they do, the next one to be named will be called Epsilon. Despite this lull in hurricane activity, hurricane season does not end until November 30. In North…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Here are the six most destructive hurricanes ever to hit North Carolina: 6. Hurricane Diana Date: September 13, 1984Landfall: Cape Fear, North CarolinaSaffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale: Category 2Main impact: FloodingHighest rainfall total: Duplin County, 14 inchesHighest wind gust: Oak Island, 115 mphDamage estimates: $65.5 million dollars (1984 USD)Deaths: 0 (3 indirectly) 5. Hurricane Matthew Date: October 8, 2016Landfall: McClellanville, South CarolinaSaffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale: Category 1Main impact: FloodingHighest rainfall total: Evergreen, 18.95 inchesHighest…

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — More than 10,000 people have been evacuated in Cambodia after a tropical storm triggered flash floods, an official said Wednesday. Seasonal rains made worse by the storm caused flooding in 19 of the country’s 25 provinces, affecting 140,000 people in all, said Khun Sokha, a spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management. The flooding also destroyed thousands of hectares (acres) of rice, he said. The capital, Phnom Penh, was not…

HANOI, Vietnam — Torrential rains have flooded central Vietnam and killed at least 17 people since last week, as the region braces for more heavy rainfall, state media reported Monday. According to weather forecasters, water levels will keep rising, swelling rivers and submerging more communities in the region, the state-owned Tuoi Tre newspaper reported. The situation worsened over the weekend when Tropical Storm Linfa, which weakened to a depression when it hit the country, brought…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A warm front associated with post-tropical cyclone Delta is providing the possibility of severe weather for the Sandhills and southern half of the Coastal Plain tonight. This warm front has allowed for thunderstorms to grow and has produced weak rotation within these storms and have prompted tornado warnings. The main threat for south-central NC is a damaging wind gust or even an isolated tornado. The storm threat will begin to diminish…

Parts of central North Carolina will be under a Level 1 risk for severe weather Sunday. For areas south of the Triangle, a Level 1 is relatively low but First Alert meteorologist Steve Stewarts says a warm front lifting northward could bring gusty winds and possibly some rotating cells, so an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Severe thunderstorm risk is marginal; however, the greatest chance for severe storm impacts will be south of Route…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Delta will track through the Tennessee Valley, almost parallel to the Appalachian Mountains as a weakening tropical depression today. More periods of rain are expected throughout the day, with the potential for some thunderstorms later in the afternoon due to a cold front developing off the center of Delta passing through the Triangle.Severe thunderstorm risk is marginal; however, the greatest chance for severe thunderstorm impacts will be south of Route 64…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Tropical Depression Delta will represent the most impactful aspect of the forecast, but the good news is that the heaviest rains will likely be to the north of the viewing area as Delta approaches tomorrow.The rain this evening is only loosely associated with Delta and can be attributed mostly to a warm front lifting northward ahead of Delta will also be moving quickly enough to keep the flood risk relatively low….

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Sunday will be a Level 1 threat for severe weather for parts of North Carolina as remnants of Delta will move into the area. Remnant rainfall from Delta will extend all the way into North Carolina on Sunday. This system will bring heavy rain that will spark flooding across the North Carolina mountains and severe storms will be possible by Sunday. Areas south of Raleigh, such as…

BEIRUT — Wildfires around the Middle East triggered by a heatwave hitting the region have killed three people, forced thousands of people to leave their homes and detonated landmines along the Lebanon-Israel border, state media and officials said Saturday. The areas hit by the heatwave are Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories. The fires come amid an intense heatwave that is unusual for this time of the year. Wildfires spread across different areas of…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — You will certainly need an umbrella and rain jacket with you this weekend. Remnant rainfall from Delta will extend all the way into North Carolina on Saturday and Sunday. Areas near the Triangle could see severe weather from Delta’s remnants and the mountains of North Carolina are at-risk for flooding. Hurricane Delta made landfall in Louisiana around 7 p.m. on Friday night as a Cat. 2 storm….

By REBECCA SANTANA and STACEY PLAISANCE, Associated Press LAFAYETTE, La. — Ripping tarps from damaged roofs and scattering massive piles of storm debris in the wind and water, Hurricane Delta inflicted a new round of destruction in Louisiana communities still reeling along a path Hurricane Laura carved just six weeks earlier. Delta hit as a Category 2 hurricane, with top winds of 100 mph (155 kph) before rapidly weakening over land. By Saturday morning, it…