Author: WeatherPreppers

A spokesperson said Duke Energy is confident the utility managed the historic rainfall “as effectively as possible to help mitigate flooding.” CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Flooded homeowners who live above and below Lake Norman are convinced Duke Energy’s decisions before and during Hurricane Helene protected that lake at the expense of those upstream and downstream. “Duke Energy fell asleep at the wheel,” Betsy Patton said. “Actually, they didn’t fall asleep. They were wide awake. They didn’t…

A spokesperson said Duke Energy is confident the utility managed the historic rainfall “as effectively as possible to help mitigate flooding.” CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Flooded homeowners who live above and below Lake Norman are convinced Duke Energy’s decisions before and during Hurricane Helene protected that lake at the expense of those upstream and downstream. “Duke Energy fell asleep at the wheel,” Betsy Patton said. “Actually, they didn’t fall asleep. They were wide awake. They didn’t…

Jamie Guinn suffered a fractured spine and a laceration to his head that got infected, but said no pain is worse to him than losing his wife, Melissa. AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina man spoke out from his hospital bed after flooding and mudslides from Hurricane Helene took his wife’s life.  In Avery County, moments on a mountain flipped Jamie Guinn’s world upside down.  RELATED: How you can help people impacted by Helene…

From the 11 a.m. update on October 6 to the 11:55 a.m. update on October 7, Milton grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane. TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton will go down in history as one of the fastest growing hurricanes on record. At 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 6, Milton was a tropical storm with sustained winds of 65 mph. And now 25 hours after that, it became the 42nd Category…

All proceeds from the concert will benefit Hurricane Helen relief efforts in western North Carolina. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some of North Carolina’s biggest artists are coming together for a concert in Charlotte that will benefit communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.  Eric Church, Luke Combs, Billy Strings and James Taylor will perform a special “Concert for Carolina” on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Bank of America Stadium. The show will be presented by Explore Asheville with all…

From Sunday night to Monday morning, Milton went from a category one hurricane to a major category four. TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton is now a major hurricane. Becoming a category four hurricane per the 9:05 a.m. update. Hurricane Milton formed its eye-wall then immediately went into rapid intensification. Hurricane Milton went from a tropical storm to a category 4 hurricane in just 24 hours (an 85 mph increase). This pin-hole eye wall may look…

From Sunday night to Monday morning, Milton went from a category one hurricane to a major category four. TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton is now a major hurricane. Becoming a category four hurricane per the 9:05 a.m. update. Hurricane Milton formed its eye-wall then immediately went into rapid intensification. Hurricane Milton went from a tropical storm to a category 4 hurricane in just 24 hours (an 85 mph increase). This pin-hole eye wall may look…

While forecast models vary widely, the most likely path suggests Milton could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and move across Florida to the Atlantic. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Milton strengthened rapidly Monday into a Category 5 hurricane on a path toward Florida, threatening the densely populated Tampa area with a potential direct hit and menacing the same stretch of coastline that was battered by Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago. The center of…

While forecast models vary widely, the most likely path suggests Milton could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and move across Florida to the Atlantic. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest level, in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after…