Month: October 2020

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…