Charlotte North Carolina News

EL RENO, Okla. (AP) — – A tornado leveled a motel and tore through a mobile home park near Oklahoma City overnight, killing two people and injuring at least 29 others, authorities said Sunday. The twister touched down in El Reno, about 25 miles west of Oklahoma City, late Saturday night. It crossed an interstate and walloped the American Budget Value Inn before ripping through the Skyview Estates trailer park, flipping and leveling homes, Mayor…

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) – Meteorologists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are forecasting a “near normal” 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA made their hurricane outlook announcement Thursday morning, saying they predict 9 to 15 named storms and 4 to 8 hurricanes. Of those hurricanes, 2 to 4 are expected to be major storms, which are Category 3 or higher. “An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including…

A North Carolina government watchdog agency says administrative mistakes and a lack of expertise caused delays in the state’s distribution of certain federal long-term recovery funds following Hurricane Matthew. The report released Monday by the non-partisan Program Evaluation Division also found $3.7 million in unnecessary state spending. The state received a federal block grant of $199 million in December 2016, which was later increased to $237 million. But as of December 2018— over two years…

Firefighters, community choked up at scene where child drowned in Florence floodwater The Union County Police and Assistant Fire Chief talk about the scene where a 1-year-old was swept away in floodwaters resulting from the remnants of Hurricane Florence on Sunday. By × The Union County Police and Assistant Fire Chief talk about the scene where a 1-year-old was swept away in floodwaters resulting from the remnants of Hurricane Florence on Sunday. By A mother…

What to do during a tornado If your area is under a tornado warning, then you may only have a few minutes to get to safety. Here are the actions you should take during a tornado. By × If your area is under a tornado warning, then you may only have a few minutes to get to safety. Here are the actions you should take during a tornado. By Severe weather could deliver hail, damaging…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A tornado warning has been issued for Cleveland County. Take shelter immediately.  You should stay weather aware this weekend because First Warn Meteorologist Brad Panovich says it’s going to be stormy and wet. “It won’t rain the whole time, but there will be waves of rain and storms,” he said. “I would say Saturday likely more rainy and then late Sunday more stormy.” Panovich said the severe weather outlook ranges from low…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Saturday and Sunday bring chances of severe weather to the Mountains, Foothills, Piedmont, and Sandhills. A stationary frontal boundary is located in the area. This will bring scattered showers and storms.  Saturday morning rain will start off lightly, but will become heavier as the morning progresses. There will be a break in the storm activity from 1-4 p.m. The second wave of storms will likely be stronger thanks to…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A tornado warning has been issued for Cleveland County. Take shelter immediately.  You should stay weather aware this weekend because First Warn Meteorologist Brad Panovich says it’s going to be stormy and wet. “It won’t rain the whole time, but there will be waves of rain and storms,” he said. “I would say Saturday likely more rainy and then late Sunday more stormy.” Panovich said the severe weather outlook ranges from low…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A storm system will bring the potential for severe thunderstorms and pop-up showers across the Charlotte area this weekend.  The region got hit with showers and storms Saturday evening, and the showers and storms will continue overnight into Sunday as a weak cold front crosses the area. With the overnight storms, the primary threats are heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning. There were reports of hail across the region with Saturday evening’s…

Severe thunderstorms will move through the area this afternoon. There is a slight risk for severe storms across the entire viewing area with the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and heavy downpours. The heaviest activity is expected to affect the area from 4-9 p.m. Stay with Fox 46 news for the very latest information.

Hurricane Florence killed 22 people across three Southeastern states, was the ninth most destructive storm in terms of property damage in U.S. history and spawned 44 tornadoes, a report from the National Hurricane Center said Friday. The report described Florence as “a long-lived, category 4 hurricane” which was named on Aug. 31 and lingered until Sept. 17. The hurricane made landfall along the southeastern coast of North Carolina as a Category 1. Fifteen people were…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A storm system will bring the potential for severe thunderstorms and pop-up showers across the Charlotte area this weekend.  First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the biggest concern from these storms won’t be tornadoes; instead, damaging straight-line winds could cause damage. There is good news, though.  “If you’re worried about a washout in the forecast this weekend, there isn’t one,” Panovich said. “It’s the typical pop-up evening thunderstorms that are very…

U.S. Forest Service map Fire crews have gotten the wildfire in North Carolina’s Linville Gorge Wilderness Area under control, the U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday. The blaze, discovered Sunday afternoon, scorched more than five acres along Brushy Ridge before a “hotshot crew” of 52 firefighters used a fire line to stop the spread, forest service officials said on Facebook Tuesday. “The final containment area of the fire is 3 acres,” the post said. “Today, fire…

(FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Thursday will be another warm day with highs topping out in the middle 80s. The cloud cover is expected to increase on Thursday out ahead of an approaching cold front. Most of your Thursday should be dry, but as the front nears an isolated shower may pop up later in the day or at night. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms push in on Friday as the storm system slides through…

The National Weather Service confirms that severe storms spawned about a dozen tornadoes in the Carolinas on Friday. One of those twisters touched down Friday afternoon in northern Gaston County, traveling more than 7 miles and crossing into Lincoln County before lifting north of Lincolnton. Another tornado touched down briefly north of Hiddenite, in eastern Alexander County. Both storms damaged or uprooted trees, and in Lincolnton a tree fell onto a car. The weather service…

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — The National Weather Service Damage Survey determined there was a tornado event in Alexander County on April 19.  NWS said it started and ended in Alexander County, estimated at 4:10 p.m.  Its maximum EF-Scale rating was an EF1, which is considered to be weak. It had an estimated maximum wind speed of 90 mph, but the maximum path width was unknown. The path length was reported at .56 miles. NWS said…

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A weak tornado touched down over northern Gaston County and moved into Lincoln County, eventually crossing Lincolnton on Friday, the National Weather Service confirmed.  The NWS Damage Survey concluded that the tornado left one person injured when a large tree fell onto a house. Most of the damage was limited to trees, such as uprooted trees or snapped tree limbs.  WCNC The estimated time of the tornado was just before 3:30…

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A weak tornado touched down over northern Gaston County and moved into Lincoln County, eventually crossing Lincolnton on Friday, the National Weather Service confirmed.  The NWS Damage Survey concluded that the tornado left one person injured when a large tree fell onto a house. Most of the damage was limited to trees, such as uprooted trees or snapped tree limbs.  The estimated time of the tornado was just before 3:30 p.m.,…

Orange County home damaged in afternoon storms A house on Old 86 just south of I-40 near Hillsborough, NC was destroyed by a storm on Friday afternoon, April 19, 2019. The house was unoccupied and no injuries have been reported. By × A house on Old 86 just south of I-40 near Hillsborough, NC was destroyed by a storm on Friday afternoon, April 19, 2019. The house was unoccupied and no injuries have been reported….

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte area remains under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. as storms sweep the Carolinas.  Multiple tornado warnings were issued Friday afternoon in Alexander, Iredell, Catawba, Lincoln counties in North Carolina and Chester, Union and York counties in South Carolina.  Storm damage was reported in several areas including northwest Charlotte, Bessemer City, York County, Alexander County, and Lincolnton. Late Friday afternoon, First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the Charlotte area…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Multiple tornado warnings were issued in South Carolina Friday afternoon when powerful storms moved through the Carolinas.  A tornado warning is in effect for Alexander and Iredell counties until 4:30 p.m. A tornado warning was in effect for Catawba, Lincoln counties until 4:15 p.m. The remainder of the Charlotte area is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m.  Tornado warnings in Chester, Union and York counties in South Carolina were canceled by…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Multiple tornado warnings were issued in South Carolina Friday afternoon when powerful storms moved through the Carolinas.  A tornado warning was in effect for Catawba, Lincoln counties until 4:15 p.m. The remainder of the Charlotte area is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m.  Tornado warnings in Chester, Union and York counties in South Carolina were canceled by 2:45 p.m.  First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the strongest threat remains damaging…

Much of central North and South Carolina remains under a tornado watch as severe storms barrel up the east coast. Forecasters say the Charlotte metro area and the North Carolina foothills are at a high risk of damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and severe hail this afternoon and early evening.  The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for much of Union County, N.C. including Monroe, Fairveiw and Marshville for this afternoon.  Severe thunderstorm…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Multiple tornado warnings were issued in South Carolina Friday afternoon when powerful storms moved through the Carolinas.  The remainder of the Charlotte area is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. Tornado warnings in Chester, Union and York counties in South Carolina were canceled by 2:45 p.m.  First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the strongest threat remains damaging winds but he can’t rule out tornadoes during Friday’s event, particularly in areas…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Multiple tornado warnings have been issued for parts of the Charlotte area in South Carolina as a large storm system moved across the Carolinas Friday.  A tornado warning is in effect for Chester and Union counties in South Carolina until 2:45 p.m. A tornado warning is in effect until 3:15 p.m. for western York County. The remainder of the Charlotte area is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. First Warn chief…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Easter weekend got off to a stormy start in the Charlotte area when a large storm system brought heavy rains and strong winds to the Charlotte area Friday. First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the strongest threat remains damaging winds but he can’t rule out tornadoes during Friday’s event, particularly in areas east of I-77. The entire Charlotte area is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m.  Panovich said the…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Easter weekend will get off to a stormy start in the Charlotte area thanks to a large storm system that will bring the potential for severe weather Friday afternoon.  First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the strongest threat remains damaging winds but he can’t rule out tornadoes during Friday’s event, particularly in areas east of I-77. Most of the Charlotte area is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m.  “It’s…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Easter weekend will get off to a stormy start in the Charlotte area thanks to a large storm system that will bring the potential for severe weather Friday afternoon.  First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the strongest threat remains damaging winds but he can’t rule out tornadoes during Friday’s event, particularly in areas east of I-77.  “It’s east of I-77 that really concerns me,” Panovich said. “The tornado threat has…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Easter weekend will get off to a stormy start in the Charlotte area thanks to a large storm system that will bring the potential for severe weather Friday afternoon.  First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the strongest threat remains damaging winds but he can’t rule out tornadoes during Friday’s event, particularly in areas east of I-77.  “It’s east of I-77 that really concerns me,” Panovich said. “The tornado threat has…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With severe weather season now bearing down on us, now is a good time to brush up on how meteorologists measure how powerful such storms can become. When discussing severe thunderstorms across the nation, you will hear the First Warn Storm Team refer to convective outlooks from the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK. They issue these outlooks on an ongoing basis using a sliding scale of categories of…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Easter weekend will get off to a stormy start in the Charlotte area thanks to a large storm system that will bring the potential for severe weather Friday afternoon.  First Warn forecaster Larry Sprinkle said these storms could bring heavy rain, damaging winds, a lot of lightning, hail and even some isolated tornadoes.  “When you get winds over 55 mph that can cause a lot of major problems,” Sprinkle said. “Just…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — 1. Damaging winds, hail and even isolated tornadoes are possible in the Charlotte area First Warn chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the storms could bring a threat of hail, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes, depending on the timing. One thing Panovich is confident about is the threat of damaging winds.  “Regardless of what kind of thunderstorms we get, we’re going to see damaging winds, even outside of thunderstorms,” Panovich said.  Scattered showers…

Know your thunderstorm types Ever heard of the term ‘supercell’ but didn’t know what it was? Learn about these powerful storms responsible for most tornadoes in the United States and other thunderstorms in this video from NWS. By × Ever heard of the term ‘supercell’ but didn’t know what it was? Learn about these powerful storms responsible for most tornadoes in the United States and other thunderstorms in this video from NWS. By The Charlotte…

(FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Severe storms will impact the FOX 46 viewing area Friday afternoon into Friday evening. A strong cold front will move through the area and bring intense rainfall, damaging straight-line winds and the risk for isolated tornadoes. The storms will show up in the eastern portion of the viewing area by 1 pm and will eventually pass through the area by 9 p.m. Right now the neighborhoods west of I-77 are under…

Chance of severe weather in Carolinas Friday Watch the ABC11 weather forecast for information on possible severe weather moving through the Carolinas Friday, April 19, 2019. By × Watch the ABC11 weather forecast for information on possible severe weather moving through the Carolinas Friday, April 19, 2019. By Raleigh After days of sunny skies in North Carolina, severe weather is expected Friday, according to the National Weather Service. A low pressure system will bring the…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte area will be bracing for another round potentially severe weather Friday as a large storm system moves into the Carolinas.  Chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said the storms could bring a threat of hail, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes, depending on the timing. One thing Panovich is confident about is the threat of damaging winds.  “Regardless of what kind of thunderstorms we get, we’re going to see damaging winds, even outside…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte area will be bracing for another round potentially severe weather Friday as a large storm system moves into the Carolinas.  First Warn forecaster Larry Sprinkle said the storms could bring damaging straight-line winds, hail, flash flooding and maybe even some isolated tornadoes to the area. The National Weather Service has the Charlotte area at a high risk for severe weather potential for Friday.  Sprinkle said the large system stretches all…

Image Gallery 3 PHOTOS FOX 46 Charlotte  (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Another round of severe weather is expected to batter the FOX 46 viewing area on Friday. A strong cold front will swing through the area and bring strong storms into the area Friday afternoon and evening. Much like last Sunday, these storms will bring periods of intense rainfall, damaging straight-line winds and the risk for isolated tornadoes. Right now the entire viewing area is…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here we go again. A storm system from the Rocky Mountains is making its way east and will bring the threat of severe weather to the Charlotte area Friday.  Chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said this system is different than the severe storms that left a trail of damage in the Carolinas last weekend.  “I think wind is going to be our biggest issue with this event,” Panovich said. “Definitely something we’ll have…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. At 11:45 p.m., Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties were put on a tornado watch until 12:15 a.m. That has since expired.  A tornado warning was issued for Davie, Iredell, Rowan counties until 12:45 a.m. It has since expired.  Meteorologist Chris Mulcahy said the storm is mainly expected to bring heavy downpours. There have been reports of downed…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. At 11:45 p.m., Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties were put on a tornado watch until 12:15 a.m. That has since expired.  A tornado warning was issued for Davie, Iredell, Rowan counties until 12:45 a.m. It was canceled for Iredell County early.   Meteorologist Chris Mulcahy said the storm is mainly expected to bring heavy downpours. There have been…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. At 11:45 p.m., Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties were put on a tornado watch until 12:15 a.m. That has since expired.  A tornado warning was issued for Davie, Iredell, Rowan counties until 12:45 a.m. Meteorologist Chris Mulcahy said the storm could bring small hail with it.  Around 10:20 p.m., several parts of the Carolinas — including  Charlotte,…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. At 11:45 p.m., Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties were put on a tornado watch until 12:15 a.m. Meteorologist Chris Mulcahy said the storm could bring small hail with it.  Around 10:20 p.m., several parts of the Carolinas — including  Charlotte, Hickory, Shelby, Greensboro and Chester — were placed on a tornado watch until 5 a.m. Monday.  This…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. Around 10:20 p.m., several parts of the Carolinas — including  Charlotte, Hickory, Shelby, Greensboro and Chester — were placed on a tornado watch until 5 a.m. Monday.  This particular watch is a big one. It extends from the foothills all the way to Raleigh but doesn’t include the mountains as the line has already moved through. As the…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. Around 10:20 p.m., several parts of the Carolinas — including  Charlotte, Hickory, Shelby, Greensboro and Chester — were placed on a tornado watch until 5 a.m. Monday.  This particular watch is a big one. It extends from the foothills all the way to Raleigh but doesn’t include the mountains as the line has already moved through. As the…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. Around 10:20 p.m., several parts of the Carolinas — including  Charlotte, Hickory, Shelby, Greensboro and Chester — were placed on a tornado watch until 5 a.m. Monday.  Just after 8 p.m., the original tornado watch expired for the Charlotte area, but the First Warn Storm Team is keeping an eye on the cold front to the west for…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The First Warn Storm Team is tracking a strong storm moving through the Carolinas. Just after 8 p.m., the tornado watch expired for the Charlotte area, but the First Warn Storm Team is keeping an eye on the cold front to the west for gusty thunderstorms. A severe thunderstorm watch still remains until 10 p.m. for the mountains. There is still a chance for rain and thunderstorms through Sunday evening. At  7…