Charlotte North Carolina News

Tropical Storm Zeta formed this morning at 2AM and has tied 2005 for the most named storms during an Atlantic Hurricane Season. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — TROPICAL STORM ZETA: 2020 has been a year to remember for obvious reasons but it also memorable for its hurricane season. This morning an infamous record was tied. Tropical Storm Zeta formed from Tropical Depression Twenty-Eight at 2 AM Sunday morning. This is the 27th named storm so far this…

One of the strongest storms of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season had a unique feature that was only seen by a select few people on Wednesday. One of the strongest storms of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season had a unique feature that was only seen by a select few people on Wednesday as Hurricane Epsilon churned over the Atlantic Ocean. “Epsilon, consistent with the theme of the season, overachieved by rapidly becoming the year’s fourth…

For only the second time in recorded history, the Atlantic Basin has spawned a tropical storm named Epsilon. For only the second time in recorded history, the Atlantic Basin has spawned a tropical storm named Epsilon. Tropical Depression 27 developed Monday morning about 700 miles southeast of Bermuda, and just three hours later it strengthened into the 26th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) named the system Tropical…

Gyre references a weather pattern that can develop in the tropical atmosphere. Several systems from the hyperactive 2020 hurricane season, including many of the land-falling storms along the Gulf Coast, developed in a similar way, stemming from a breeding ground created by an unsettled weather phenomenon that can brew at times over part of the Atlantic. The more common use of the term ‘gyre’ describes large areas of ocean water currents, but it also references…

The act creates an Office of Resilience to handle flood projects and oversee a statewide plan addressing flood risks and mitigation efforts. COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina is no stranger to hurricanes and flooding. Earlier this week, Governor Henry McMaster signed into law a new act creating a resilience office to handle flood projects and make plans to address flood risks, statewide. RELATED: New S.C. law creates resilience office to address flooding “We don’t want…

Two warnings followed each other nearly back-to-back around 5 p.m. Sunday. Then just before 7 p.m., two more warnings were issued in the area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A tornado warning was issued for Mecklenburg County and Union County in North Carolina at 6:50 p.m. Both of those warnings expired at 7:15 p.m., though WCNC Charlotte’s First Warn team is continuing to track the latest as the threat moves through the area.  At 7:20 p.m., shortly…

Two warnings followed each other nearly back-to-back around 5 p.m. Sunday. Then just before 7 p.m., two more warnings were issued in the area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A tornado warning was issued for Mecklenburg County and Union County in North Carolina at 6:50 p.m. Both of those warnings expired at 7:15 p.m., though WCNC Charlotte’s First Warn team is continuing to track the latest as the threat moves through the area.  At 7:20 p.m., shortly…

Two warnings followed each other nearly back-to-back around 5 p.m. Sunday. Then just before 7 p.m., two more warnings were issued in the area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A tornado warning was issued for Mecklenburg County and Union County in North Carolina at 6:50 p.m. Both were set to expire at 7:15 p.m.  Two tornado warnings issued Sunday for Chester and York counties in South Carolina have both ended. The two warnings followed each other back-to-back…

The active tornado warning continues until 5:45 p.m. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A second tornado warning has been issued for Chester and York counties in South Carolina. This warning continues through 5:45 p.m. This is for the same area that had an initial tornado warning minutes earlier. A TORNADO WARNING has been issued for the WCNC viewing area. MORE INFORMATION–> https://t.co/I9bebNlAqm pic.twitter.com/OCR0nWldCC — Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) October 11, 2020 The new warning was for an area…

The First Warn Storm Team is tracking severe weather. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A second tornado warning has been issued for Chester and York counties in South Carolina. This warning continues through 5:45 p.m. This is for the same area that had an initial tornado warning minutes earlier. A TORNADO WARNING has been issued for the WCNC viewing area. MORE INFORMATION–> https://t.co/I9bebNlAqm pic.twitter.com/OCR0nWldCC — Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) October 11, 2020 The new warning was for an…

The First Warn Storm Team is tracking severe weather. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A tornado warning has been issued for Chester and York counties in South Carolina until 5:15 p.m. Seek shleter in northwest Chetser and Southern York County. #scwx #cltwx pic.twitter.com/tQ5riAxQ50 — Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) October 11, 2020 At 5 p.m., First Warn Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich was tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near the county line. The radar- indicated rotation…

The worst of this weather will be this morning into the first half of the afternoon CHARLOTTE, N.C. — BE WEATHER AWARE: Two Tornado Warnings popped between 6AM and 8AM this morning just SW of our WCNC viewing area this morning. We are still carefully watching this line through the rest of this morning. Today: A line of heavy rain and storms is starting to pick up the pace across our area and will not…

Delta is the tenth named storm to hit the continental United States this year, breaking a century-old record. LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana — Ripping tarps from already damaged roofs and scattering debris piled by roadsides, Hurricane Delta inflicted a new round of destruction on Louisiana as it struck communities still reeling after Hurricane Laura took a similar path just six weeks earlier. When Delta came ashore Friday as a Category 2 hurricane, almost all homes and…

Delta officially made landfall around 6 p.m. Friday. BEAUMONT, Texas — The 12News StormTrackers are closely watching the progress of Hurricane Delta as it moves inland Friday evening. Hurricane Delta’s winds have slowed to 75 mph making it a barely category one storm about four hours after it officially made landfall in Creole, Louisiana according to the National Hurricane Center. Once wind speeds drop below 74 mph Delta will be a tropical storm. The storm…

Delta officially made landfall around 6 p.m. Friday. BEAUMONT, Texas — The 12News StormTrackers are closely watching the progress of Hurricane Delta as it moves inland Friday evening. Hurricane Delta’s winds have slowed to 90 mph making it a category one storm about an hour after it officially made landfall in Creole, Louisiana according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is moving inland headed north-northeast at 14 mph according to the National Hurricane Center’s…

Delta officially made landfall around 6 p.m. Friday. BEAUMONT, Texas — The 12News StormTrackers are closely watching the progress of Hurricane Delta as it moves inland Friday evening. Hurricane Delta’s winds have slowed to 90 mph making it a category one storm about an hour after it officially made landfall in Creole, Louisiana according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is moving inland headed north-northeast at 14 mph according to the National Hurricane Center’s…

Delta is the tenth named storm to hit the continental United States this year, breaking a century-old record. LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana — Hurricane Delta made landfall in southwestern Louisiana as a Category 2 storm Friday, compounding misery along a path of destruction left by Hurricane Laura only six weeks earlier. The center of the hurricane blew ashore about 6 p.m. near the town of Creole with top winds of 100 mph (155 kph), pushing a…

Eyewall of Hurricane Delta is moving onshore of the southwestern coast of Louisiana. BEAUMONT, Texas — The 12News StormTrackers are closely watching the progress of Hurricane Delta as it moves ashore Friday evening. The National Hurricane Center said in a tweet the storm is moving ashore on the southwestern coast of Louisiana.  Delta officially made landfall around 6 p.m. in Creole, Louisiana according to the NHC.  Delta’s max sustained winds are currently at 105 mph as…

The American Red Cross is actively preparing for the landfall of Hurricane Delta while upping efforts to social distance CHARLOTTE, N.C. — So far this year the US has had 9 named storms make landfall and Hurricane Delta is set to be a record breaking 10th landfall to impact us this year. Delta is the 25th named storm so that would mean 40% of all storms have made landfall in U.S. The American Red Cross…

The storm is approaching the part of Louisiana where Hurricane Laura caused more than 30 deaths in late August. ABBEVILLE, Ala — Residents in south Louisiana braced to relive a nightmare Friday as bands of rain from approaching Hurricane Delta began soaking the same area of the state that was badly battered by a deadly hurricane six weeks ago. The streets were largely vacant in the city of Lake Charles, where Hurricane Laura destroyed buildings…

Personnel from 272 of 643 manned production platforms and 70% of rigs have been evacuated ahead of Hurricane Delta, which is expected to make landfall Friday. WASHINGTON — As the southwest Louisiana coast prepares for Hurricane Delta to make landfall — the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season — about 92% of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been paused.  As of Thursday, personnel from 272 of the…

What was meant to be a quick and relaxing vacation quickly changed. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte couple on vacation in Cancun had to evacuate their resort Tuesday night as Hurricane Delta made landfall. The Espositos slept on the floor in a makeshift shelter, Wednesday going outside to downed trees and no power.  They still can’t get back to their hotel. As Hurricane Delta barreled towards the Yucatan Peninsula, the skies darkened, and waves picked…

This year could certainly end as the most active season on record — with nearly two months left in the season, we’re already 25 storms in. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been one for the record books. And if you didn’t know, we’re only a few storms away from becoming the most active season on record. So what is responsible for the record-breaking season?  Well, a few things.  First, we’ve seen…

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is only three named storms away from becoming the most active hurricane season on record. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has brought twice the typical number of storms and is only three named storms away from becoming the most active hurricane season on record. With nearly two months left in the season, there is a high possibility it could happen. The hyperactive hurricane season has already exhausted the list of…

Gamma lashed Mexico with inundating rain and damaging winds. The worst of Tropical Storm Gamma was in the rearview mirror on Monday as the storm continued to weaken off the northern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Yet, even in its weakened state, forecasters said it could produce some disruptive impacts through midweek. Over the weekend, Gamma lashed Mexico with inundating rain and damaging winds following its formation late Friday from Tropical Depression 25. According to…

Tropical Depression 18-E formed early Tuesday morning as it was spinning 670 miles south of the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Although tropical activity in the Eastern Pacific has been taking a back seat compared to the Atlantic’s record pace, the basin has been active periodically and this week will be no exception. Tropical Depression 18-E formed early Tuesday morning as it was spinning 670 miles south of the southern tip of…

A heat dome will bring days of record-challenging temperatures to portions of the West this week. A heat dome will bring days of record-challenging temperatures to portions of the West this week, exactly the opposite of what the wildfire-stricken region needs. The latest outlook from the United States Drought Monitor shows that 92% of the western United States is suffering from some extent of dryness, with over 50% in the severe to exceptional drought category….

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A tornado touched down in Myrtle Beach Friday afternoon, local officials there confirm. The Myrtle Beach Fire Department published a photo of a thin tornado right along the shoreline of one of the state and nation’s most popular tourist destination. Other photos posted on Twitter and other social media platforms confirm that the funnel.  The twister apparently struck around 3:25 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The fire department said…

A thunderstorm capable of producing A tornado was near McBee, South Carolina. MCBEE, S.C. — A tornado warning for Chesterfield County, South Carolina was allowed to expire at 4:30 p.m. Shortly before 4 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service had issued a Tornado Warning for Chesterfield County, South Carolina. The warning was prompted by a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado that was located near Bethune and moving northeast at 20 mph towards McBee….

A thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is near McBee, South Carolina. MCBEE, S.C. — The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for Chesterfield County, South Carolina. At 3:56 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Cassatt, or 13 miles northwest of Bishopville, moving northeast at 20 mph. The warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. The tornado warning also includes a portion of Kershaw County, South Carolina….

While this isn’t the most active hurricane season on record yet, it’s on pace to become it. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been busy to say the least. Sometimes it feels like every week there’s a new record people are saying has been broken.  But exactly what records has it broken? And what is it on pace for? WHAT WE FOUND Currently, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is not the most active season on…

Powerful Hurricane Teddy will set its sights on Atlantic Canada for the middle of the week. After passing to the east of Bermuda through Monday, powerful Hurricane Teddy will set its sights on Atlantic Canada for the middle of the week. Teddy first developed in the central Atlantic on Saturday, Sept. 12. On Friday night, Teddy strengthened into a Category 4 major hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Laura is the only other Atlantic…

The rainfall could be particularly troublesome for land charred by this summer’s blazes. A multi-day rain event is just what the northwestern United States needs to help put out the dozens of active wildfires, and forecasters say that is in the offing later this week. But could there be too much of a good thing? From last Friday into the weekend, the region received some relief from the smoke and haze that has persisted due…

After churning out Tropical Storm Wilfred and Subtropical Storm Alpha, the hyperactive Atlantic continues to generate more named storms with the formation of Tropical Storm Beta. This new storm has claimed the second letter in the Greek alphabet. Once the last name on the season’s designated list is exhausted, Greek letters are used to identify tropical storms. As Beta rolls toward the coast, a storm surge watch is in effect for Port Aransas, Texas, to…

After using up all the traditional storm names for 2020, meteorologists will now use Alpha, Beta and other Greek letters for future Atlantic storms. MIAMI — Tropical Storm Wilfred has formed in the eastern Atlantic, becoming the latest storm in an active hurricane season. The storm’s maximum sustained winds Friday morning were near 40 mph (65 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says slight strengthening was possible during the day but weakening should start over…

The South Fork Catawba River is expected to crest Firday afternoon. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Heavy rain from Tropical Depression Sally led to downed trees, car crashes and rising river levels across the Charlotte region Thursday. A tree crashed into power lines at the intersection of Eagle Chase Drive and Forestwinds Lane near Mountain Island Lake. Duke Energy crews spent the afternoon working to restore power to 48 customers. One man said he was in a…

A Florida couple resorted to spray-painting a message asking for help on their front door as the water began to rise in their home during Hurricane Sally. CANTONMENT, Fla. — The firetrucks and rescue vehicles kept passing her house even after Elaine Hulgan, 76, wrote “IN ATTIC HELP” on the front door. So Hulgan’s 84-year-old husband resorted to his best emergency signal: an ear-splitting whistle. The noise rose above the din, and a firefighter on…

Hurricane Sally has come and gone, but it will have long-lasting impacts on the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Sally has come and gone, but it will have long-lasting impacts on the Gulf Coast and in the lives of those who rode out the storm. After spending several days churning over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, Sally made landfall early Wednesday morning as a Category 2 hurricane over Gulf Shores, Alabama, ushering substantial storm surge and flooding…

Hurricane Sally left coastal areas of Alabama and Florida turned upside down. Hurricane Sally gave residents a harsh history lesson on Wednesday morning. On the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan striking Gulf Shores, Alabama, Hurricane Sally made landfall in the same town at 4:45 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, leaving coastal areas of Alabama and Florida turned upside down as one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record raged on. Although originally forecast to make landfall…

A Flash Flood Watch means there is the chance for rapid onset of flooding in the area. It’s a dangerous situation and can even affect areas that don’t normally flood CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The remnants of Tropical Depression Sally are expected to enter the Carolinas on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and a flash flood threat to the area.  According to Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich, Sally will interact with a frontal boundary and produce widespread heavy…

A Flash Flood Watch means there is the chance for rapid onset of flooding in the area. It’s a dangerous situation and can even affect areas that don’t normally flood CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The remnants of Tropical Storm Sally are expected to enter the Carolinas on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and a flash flood threat to the area.  According to Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich, Sally will interact with a frontal boundary and produce widespread heavy…

Storm Janus develops into medicane, will wallop Greece with flooding rain, strong winds An area of low pressure that moved into the Mediterranean Sea earlier this week has strengthened into a “medicane” before turning toward Greece. This low moved off the northern coast of Libya on Tuesday and drifted to the north across the Mediterranean Sea into Wednesday. Once over water, the storm was able to strengthen and was designated as a medicane on Wednesday….

Stormwater Services is reminding residents to clear out their drains and avoid roads with high water. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The forecast shows the next several days of heavy rain will bring rising water levels and serious flooding potential. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services wants to make sure everyone is prepared ahead of the downpour. RELATED: FORECAST: Flooding Rains on the way Thursday Officials tell WCNC Charlotte the most important step is making sure there are no…

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Union County Public Schools will operate on a fully remote learning schedule on Thursday, September 17, due to the possibility of flooding. WCNC Charlotte Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said the remnants of Tropical Storm Sally is sending water and moisture our way. Flash flood concerns are expected across much of the region.  Union County will be under high risk, which means a 25-50% chance of flash flooding is expected. Due to…

Forecasters say the Greek alphabet is likely to be tapped for a storm name by late this week or next week. Wilfred is the last name in the alphabetical list designated for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and with tropical threats looming and development expected to continue at a record-setting pace, it will soon be given to the next storm to emerge. Forecasters say the Greek alphabet is likely to be tapped by late this…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Overnight clouds will increase and scattered showers will move in and start to become heavier by Thursday morning. This will lead to a significant Flood Threat for Thursday will widespread rain and isolated severe storms.  ⚠️ SIGNIFICANT FLOOD THREAT THURSDAY ⚠️ The remnants of #Sally combined with a cold front will bring periods of very heavy rain Thu-Thu night. The worse of it will be 10am Thu-2am Fri. All manners of flooding…

The image captures a tumultuous summer. As the wildfires in the western United States encroach upon neighboring states, the smoke has invaded airspace stretching into the eastern half of the country. Meanwhile, Hurricane Sally recently weakened near the Louisiana coastline from a Category 2 storm to a Category 1, but forecasters say the exact strength won’t likely change the battering it is starting to unleash along the Gulf Coast. AccuWeather Senior On-Air Meteorologist Adam Del…

Hurricane season peaked on September 10th and historically some of the Carolinas’ worst storms have occurred shortly thereafter. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — September 10th was the peak of hurricane season and now we’re moving into the second half of the season. Over 60% of all hurricanes occur in September and October – – and some of the worst hurricanes in Carolina history have occurred during that time. Historically in the Carolinas, some of the worst storms…

Hurricane season peaked on September 10th and historically some of the Carolinas’ worst storms have occurred shortly thereafter. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — September 10th was the peak of hurricane season and now we’re moving into the second half of the season. Over 60% of all hurricanes occur in September and October – – and some of the worst hurricanes in Carolina history have occurred during that time. Historically in the Carolinas, some of the worst storms…

Hurricane season peaked technically on September 10th but historically some of our worst storms have been after that date CHARLOTTE, N.C. — September 10th was the peak of hurricane season. But that now means we are heading into the second half of the season where over 60% of all hurricanes occur in September and October. And historically here in the Carolina’s, some our worst have happened after that peak date. Here are some notable names….