Charlotte North Carolina News

“When you go through the numbers, it’s mindboggling,” Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O’Leary said. CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — More than six months after Hurricane Helene tore through the mountains of Western North Carolina, the village of Chimney Rock is showing signs of life again. The once-vibrant mountain town was nearly wiped out by flooding, mudslides and wind damage. Roads collapsed, businesses were gutted, and dozens of homes washed away. But now, thanks to a tireless…

The Tepper Foundation boosts Hurricane Helene aid to $750,000, funding relief in Western North Carolina. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a significant boost to ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation has expanded its financial commitment to Hurricane Helene relief from $500,000 to $750,000, according to an announcement from the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). The increased funding represents a 150% expansion of the program for 2025 and will support multiple initiatives in Western…

The Tepper Foundation boosts Hurricane Helene aid to $750,000, funding relief in Western North Carolina. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a significant boost to ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation has expanded its financial commitment to Hurricane Helene relief from $500,000 to $750,000, according to an announcement from the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). The increased funding represents a 150% expansion of the program for 2025 and will support multiple initiatives in Western…

The Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County has grown to over 500 acres and is 10% contained, state officials said. MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Multiple crews are working to contain a wildfire in McDowell County, officials said.  McDowell County Emergency Management said the fire started along Armstrong Creek Road, just off North Carolina Highway 226 in Turkey Cove. As of 4:45 p.m. Thursday, the fire had grown to over 500 acres and was 10%…

Residents who live in the Kings Creek area are being evacuated due to a growing fire, Caldwell County officials said. CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Evacuations are underway in Caldwell County due to a new wildfire that is threatening homes in the Kings Creek area, officials said.  Caldwell County evacuation areas Highland Meadows Valley Drive Mountain Creek Lane Deer Run Bear Run Laurel Ridge Drive

NC State researchers forecast between 12 and 15 named storms for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State University researchers are forecasting a near-average hurricane season for 2025. The NC State Forecast Released Tuesday, NC State researchers predict the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will produce between 12 and 15 named storms, which aligns with historical averages. The long-term average, observed between 1951-2023, is 11 named storms. The recent 30-year average between…

NC State researchers forecast between 12 and 15 named storms for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State University researchers are forecasting a near-average hurricane season for 2025. The NC State Forecast Released Tuesday, NC State researchers predict the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will produce between 12 and 15 named storms, which aligns with historical averages. The long-term average, observed between 1951-2023, is 11 named storms. The recent 30-year average between…

The fire had spread to 75 acres as of Tuesday afternoon, McDowell County officials said. MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Multiple crews are working to contain a wildfire in McDowell County, officials said.  McDowell County Emergency Management said the fire started along Armstrong Creek Road, just off North Carolina Highway 226 in Turkey Cove. As of 11:00 p.m., the fire had spread to 175 acres and was 0% contained.  Evacuation orders have been issued for residents…

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Multiple crews are working to contain a wildfire in McDowell County, officials said.  So far, no evacuation orders have been issued for residents near the fire. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, but previous wildfires have been sparked by downed power lines during gusty conditions, which were present across the Carolinas on Tuesday. This story will be updated once we learn more information.

While visiting western North Carolina, the governor received word that FEMA had denied the state’s request. RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina plans to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny an extension of the 100% federal reimbursement for disaster recovery costs following Hurricane Helene, the governor’s office confirmed with WFMY News 2 on Tuesday. The state has been granted 30 days to file the appeal, and the governor’s office said more information…

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The White House denied North Carolina’s request for FEMA to extend full reimbursement for Helene damages. The state initially requested an extension of 100% of federal costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Friday, the agency denied the request stating it was “not warranted.”  In a post on X, Governor Josh Stein said he heard about the news while in Newland, a community devastated by Hurricane Helene. He said the need…

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The White House denied North Carolina’s request for FEMA to extend full reimbursement for Helene damages. The state initially requested an extension of 100% of federal costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Friday, the agency denied the request stating it was “not warranted.”  In a post on X, Governor Josh Stein said he heard about the news while in Newland, a community devastated by Hurricane Helene. He said the need…

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein marked his 100th day in office on Thursday with a visit to Asheville. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein marked his 100th day in office on Thursday with a visit to Asheville, where he addressed local government officials about ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Speaking to an audience of county commissioners, mayors, city councilors, and local government staff, Stein acknowledged the six-month anniversary of the devastating storm that…

The WMO retires Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John from the hurricane list due to their impact in 2024. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Hurricane Committee has retired the names Beryl, Helene and Milton from its Atlantic basin list and John from the eastern Pacific list due to their destructive impact in 2024.  These names will be replaced by Brianna, Holly, Miguel and Jake, respectively. There are six active hurricane name lists that…

The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office said Russell Wilber was found Friday in the Toe River. TELFORD, Tenn. — A body found in North Carolina has been identified as that of a man from East Tennessee who has been missing ever since Hurricane Helene brought deadly and historic flooding to the region. The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office said Russell Wilber, 66, was found in the Toe River on Friday, March 28. He is from…