Charlotte North Carolina News

LEE COUNTY, Ala. — In times like these, it’s sometimes hard to see the goodness in the midst of chaos and destruction. Mother nature brought a dangerous E4- tornado through Lee County, Alabama earlier this month, destroying anything in its path.  But there’s one story of survival that has gone viral online. Jason Smith told 11Alive he went to the areas affected by the storm as a Chaplain with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. He…

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson declared a state of emergency Thursday following flooding that left several people stranded and continues to cause damage and strain levees in several Midwest states. Parson’s action will allow state agencies to work directly with local officials responding to flooding. Parson, along with the state’s Emergency Management Agency director and other officials, plan to meet with local leaders and survey damage Thursday. “The rising floodwaters are affecting more Missouri communities and…

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia Police are attempting to identify the suspect responsible for cutting down a tree, which crashed into a home and snapped power lines. Neighbors said the tree came down on Holland Avenue just before 7 a.m. Tuesday, damaging two homes while causing others to lose power. The tree’s trunk destroyed a section of one house while the tree’s limbs scraped a section of siding off Mark Heath’s house.  Heath blamed a former…

(FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Wednesday through Saturday, March 16 is Severe Weather Safety Awareness Week in South Carolina, and to help people get prepared, authorities said there will be a statewide tornado drill. The drill is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13. The drill will be broadcast via the Emergency Alert System and via NOAA Weather Radios.  South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division said this drill offers a great opportunity to develop and practice a…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A week after deadly tornadoes hit Alabama, 25 million people are under the threat of severe weather across the Deep South.   Suspected tornadoes have already hit parts of Louisiana and Arkansas, and the threat continues to the East.  About 25 million people were at risk Saturday. Sunday, the Southeast is wrapped into the threat and parts of the Eastern Carolinas under a low risk for severe weather. This past week, students…

This week marks North Carolina’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week and on Friday, emergency officials are focusing on the dangers of flash flooding.  “What’s interesting about Mecklenburg County is we have 3000 miles of creeks in our county. That’s like going all the way from east coast to west coast if you put them back to back,” said Char-Meck Storm Water services spokesman John Wendel. And all the rain Charlotte’s seen lately will make flooding even…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – In the Carolinas, heavy rain and strong winds are a threat throughout the year. However, during severe weather season, which is typically March-May and a slightly less active season September-November, damaging winds, tornadoes, and flash flooding are not uncommon.  With so many trees lining streets and neighborhoods, downed trees are a major concern during severe weather season. You don’t want to wait until severe weather is in the forecast…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The entire state of North Carolina will be participating in tornado drills Wednesday as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, just days after multiple tornadoes swept across the southeast.  Schools and businesses across the state will be taking part in the drills, which are designed to make sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. An alarm will sound at 9:30 a.m. At that time, schools and businesses will…

(FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Two large corporations have offered to pay for the funerals of all 23 victims who died during Sunday’s tornadoes in eastern Alabama, according to a FOX Carolina report.  The information was confirmed by Lee County Coroner Bill Harris. He told FOX on Tuesday, “it came out of the blue this afternoon around 5 p.m.” The two national companies, who have remained anonymous, are working out the details with local officials. Names and…

LEE COUNTY, Ala. — Volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse traveled to Lee County, Ala. after devastating tornadoes hit the Southeast over the weekend. The Boone-based organization is working around the clock to clean up trees, remove debris, and patch roofs. Edward Graham, son of Franklin Graham and grandson of Billy Graham spoke to NBC Charlotte via Skype from the ravaged area. “We got volunteers assessing and doing work orders for homes we need to go to,…

BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) — The youngest victim was 6, the oldest 89. One family lost seven members. The 23 people killed in the nation’s deadliest tornado in nearly six years came into focus Tuesday when the coroner finished identifying them and released their names. ‘It sounded like a roar’: South Georgia families describe horror of powerful storm They included 6-year-old Armando Hernandez Jr., known as “AJ,” killed two days after singing in his first-grade class…

BEAUREGARD, Ala. (FOX 5 Atlanta) – Officials have released the names of the victims killed in the devastating tornado that ripped through Beauregard, Alabama on Sunday.  At a news conference on Tuesday, the 23 people killed in the nation’s deadliest tornado in nearly six years came into focus when the coroner finished identifying them and released their names. “Just keep those families in your prayers,” Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said, two days after the…

LEXINGTON, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Neighbors in Lexington, S.C. are still shaken by two tornados hit the area.  Scraps are all that’s left after winds picked up seven thousand pounds of metal, throwing it across the road and tearing apart mobile homes. “Literately picking campers up off their property, Tires are upside down,” John’s RV Sales owner Randy Rawl said.  The twisters were strong enough to toss RV’s across the street, tearing through Lexington,…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – The Billy Graham Rapid Response team is heading to Alabama to lend a helping hand in the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes that swept across the area on Sunday. At least 23 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more are injured after tornadoes swept through Alabama and Georgia. Crisis-trained chaplains are on their way to offer services. “Our goal is to come alongside them, bringing the hope and comfort…

TALBOTTON, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) – Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency for three Georgia counties after the weekend’s tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. The governor’s executive order comes as officials assess the human toll of hard-hit areas in Alabama and Georgia. One of the hardest hit areas in Georgia was Talbot County.  App users: View full article here The FOX 5 Storm Chaser went through Talbot County Monday morning after the sun…