Charlotte North Carolina News

15 years after Hurricane Katrina, Staff Sgt. Mike Maroney recounted how a simple, warm gesture helped him power through while witnessing so much pain. By the sixth day, the weight of the rescues and the destruction was beginning to build for Staff Sgt. Mike Maroney, a pararescueman from the 58th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, at the time. Hurricane Katrina had wrought destruction across the coast of Louisiana and parts of Mississippi…

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said the bodies of 5-year-old Alexa and her 4-year-old brother Abraham have both been found. Both Alexa and Abraham were found in a shallow creek near the Neuse River. Search crews found Alexa’s body Wednesday afternoon, and Abraham was found Thursday morning. Alexa and Abraham were both swept away in floodwaters late Monday night while riding in their mother’s car. The children’s mother, who was driving the…

Jeff Kahan used to have flooding problems in his home, but after the blockage was removed, they felt safe and even started to rebuild. Now, it’s happening again. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jeff Kahan and his partner thought they were in the clear when the blockages were removed from Charlotte city pipes in June. Rebuilding had begun, only to be flooded again. Tuesday night, heavy rain backed up the city’s stormwater system out in the street,…

Mary Johnson’s video shot in August during heavy rain shows muddy water cascading through a large mud berm. TEGA CAY, S.C. — A family in a Tega Cay neighborhood is dreading more rain because of a Lennar subdivision that is under construction behind them.   When it rains, Mary Johnson worries. Johnson shot video in August during heavy rain showing muddy water cascading through a large mud berm built by Lennar. “It washed our mulch…

Salisbury Fire said the Wellington Hills subdivision and Sacred Heart Church both had severe flash flooding and several rescues. SALISBURY, N.C. — Salisbury emergency crews responded to multiple water rescue calls after flash flooding in the area Monday. Crews responded to the north side of Salisbury along Jake Alexander Boulevard.  The Salisbury Fire Department said fire crews joined the Special Ops Task Force to assist in “several water rescues” in some of the areas with…

The U.S. death toll from the storm rose to 16 on Saturday, with more than half of those killed by carbon monoxide poisoning from the unsafe operation of generators. LAKE CHARLES, La. — President Donald Trump got a firsthand look Saturday at the damage from Hurricane Laura on a post-Republican National Convention trip that allowed him to use the trappings of his office to try to project empathy and leadership. His stops, first in Louisiana…

The hurricane has killed 14 people in the U.S., more than half by carbon monoxide poisoning due to unsafe operation of generators. LAKE CHARLES, La. — Fresh off the Republican National Convention, President Donald Trump flew to Louisiana on Saturday to survey the damage after Hurricane Laura, a trip that allows him to use the trappings of his office to try to project empathy and leadership. He is also to make a stop in Texas…

The hurricane has killed 14 people in the U.S., more than half by carbon monoxide poisoning due to unsafe operation of generators. LAKE CHARLES, La. — The angry storm surge has receded and the clean up has begun from Hurricane Laura, but officials along this shattered stretch of Louisiana coast are warning returning residents they will face weeks without power or water amid the hot, stifling days of late summer. The U.S. toll from the…

The remnants of Laura could bring severe storms to the area Saturday afternoon. Damaging winds and rain are main concerns. CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  Although the remnants of Laura will be well north of North Carolina and the Charlotte area, there could be some stormy weather Saturday.  Damaging winds and an isolated tornado are the main concerns with stronger thunderstorms that could form late Saturday morning into the afternoon. The most likely area for these twisters…

The remnants of Laura could bring severe storms to the area Saturday afternoon. Damaging winds and rain are main concerns. CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  Although the remnants of Laura will be well north of North Carolina and the Charlotte area, there could be some stormy weather Saturday.  Damaging winds and an isolated tornado are the main concerns with stronger thunderstorms that could form late Saturday morning into the afternoon. The most likely area for these twisters…

American Red Cross, Charlotte Fire and others traveling to provide food and shelter to storm victims. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hurricane Laura made landfall overnight as a strong category four storm, packing winds up to 150 miles per hour.  American Red Cross volunteers from the Carolina’s are traveling to provide food and shelter to storm victims. “Am I going to be able to get back home, when am I going to be able to get back…

Hurricane Laura grew nearly 70% in power in just 24 hours to reach Category 4 status and continued to draw energy from the warm Gulf of Mexico waters. GALVESTON, Texas — Laura rapidly gained strength Wednesday, growing into a menacing Category 4 hurricane with the potential for a 20-foot storm surge that forecasters said would be “unsurvivable” and capable of sinking entire communities. Authorities implored coastal residents of Texas and Louisiana to flee. The storm…

In a dire 10 a.m. public advisory, forecasters warned that “only a few hours remain to protect life and property.” NEW ORLEANS — The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday that storm surge from Hurricane Laura could reach an “unsurvivable” 20 feet in parts of Texas and Louisiana. Forecasters say Hurricane Laura rapidly strengthened overnight and is now set to make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border as an “extremely dangerous” category-4 hurricane late Wednesday into early…

Impacts from Laura could start early Wednesday and last through Thursday. NEW ORLEANS — Category 3 Hurricane Laura continued to strengthen on Wednesday. As of 10 AM, its winds have jumped to 125 mph, which is almost a Category 4 (which is winds of 130-156 mph… Cat. 5 is 157 mph or higher). Laura is now forecast to have 145 mph winds at landfall late tonight near the TX/LA state line.  Hurricane Laura rapidly strengthened…

Impacts from Laura could start early Wednesday and last through Thursday. NEW ORLEANS — Category 4 Hurricane Laura continued to strengthen on Wednesday. As of 1 PM it now has 140 mph winds. Laura is now forecast to have 145 mph winds at landfall late tonight near the TX/LA state line.  Forecasters expect Laura to become a “catastrophic” Category 4 hurricane before landfall somewhere near the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday night. The brunt of the…