Month: June 2021

By The Associated Press CHICAGO — A tornado that swept through Chicago’s western suburbs, damaging more than 100 homes and injuring several people, was packing 140 mph (225 kph) winds when it hit the heavily populated area, the National Weather Service said. A weather service team that surveyed the aftermath of Sunday night’s tornado found that, based on Monday’s preliminary findings, the storm was an EF3 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale when it cut…

By The Associated Press EAST BREWTON, Ala. — Thunderstorms associated with Tropical Storm Claudette produced at least seven confirmed tornadoes across the South over the weekend. National Weather Service surveyors confirmed three tornadoes in Mississippi, two in Alabama, and one each in Georgia and North Carolina, all occurring Saturday or Sunday. The most noteworthy twister struck East Brewton, Alabama, on Saturday. That storm had estimated top winds of 127 mph (204 kilometers per hour). The…

NAGS HEAD, N.C. (AP) — A task force force has been formed with the aim of saving the main highway on North Carolina’s Outer Banks from storms and sea level rise. The Virginian-Pilot reported last week that the task force will focus on protecting seven vulnerable spots along 67 miles of the narrow highway. NC Highway 12 runs from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras Village and continues after a ferry ride to Ocracoke. The taskforce tasked…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Tropical Storm Claudette moved out to the Atlantic Ocean, and sunshine finally returned to North Carolina. Monday was muggy and hot, with highs in the low 90s and a head index reaching 100 degrees. “It’s like when Claudette left, the humidity stayed — or at least the tropical air did,” said WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze. A cold front moving through Tuesday brings more rain and storms. The…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Tropical Storm Claudette moved out to the Atlantic Ocean, and sunshine finally returned to North Carolina. Monday will be muggy and hot, with highs in the low 90s and a head index reaching 100 degrees. “It’s like when Claudette left, the humidity stayed — or at least the tropical air did,” said WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze. Temps are not planning to cool off on Monday night, Maze…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — The Triangle is dry as Tropical Storm Claudette begins to pull away from the coast. Some coastal communities are still under a Tropical Storm Warning – with some rain and storms, with windy conditions and choppy waves. “We’ve got some pretty rough surf out there,” said WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. “Anywhere from 5 to 9 feet.” However, we’ll have improving conditions all across North Carolina as we move into…

WOODRIDGE, Ill. — A tornado touched down and caused extensive damage in the suburbs of Chicago Sunday night as a line of severe storms brought heavy rains and damaging winds across the Chicago area. A large tornado was reported in southern DuPage County, Illinois, both radar-indicated and by local storm spotters around 11:10 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service is expected to confirm its strength and path on Monday. The tornado began in Naperville before…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Claudette has strengthened back into a Tropical Storm. No damage has been reported from Claudette’s impact on NC overnight, and the storm’s impact on central NC may soon come to an end as the storm races off to the north and east. “The center of circulation was 55 miles south of Raleigh around 2 a.m., but as of 4:30 a.m., it had moved closer to Goldsboro,” said…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the North Carolina coast and most of the state’s coastline — from Cape Lookout to the Virginia border — could experience storm surge. The National Hurricane Center says tropical storm conditions are possible Sunday night and Monday morning at North Carolina beaches. The center of Tropical Depression Claudette made its way into South Carolina on Saturday afternoon. Ahead of…