Charlotte North Carolina News

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Multiple agencies are working to contain a 10-acre wildfire burning in McDowell County, officials said Tuesday. The fire is located near Armstrong Creek Road off NC 226 north of Marion, North Carolina. The fire was 20% contained as of 6 p.m., according to the North Carolina Forest Service. No evacuation orders have been issued. No injuries have been reported at this time. Emergency crews responding to the scene include Woodlawn, Hankins,…

Mayor Karen Bass says 1,000 firefighters could have been on duty the morning the fires broke out but “were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch.” LOS ANGELES — Six weeks after the most destructive wildfire in city history, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ousted the city’s fire chief Friday amid a public rift over preparations for a potential fire and finger-pointing between the chief and City Hall over responsibility for the devastation. Bass said she…

Trump’s idea of “getting rid” of FEMA doesn’t sound too bad for some in western North Carolina still navigating the long recovery process after Helene. SWANNANOA, N.C. — Emily Russell remembers feeling hopeful after she managed to get an appointment with the Federal Emergency Management Agency not long after Hurricane Helene ripped though her home in Swannanoa, North Carolina. But after several assistance requests were denied or left pending, Russell says the agency has been…

Trump’s idea of “getting rid” of FEMA doesn’t sound too bad for some in western North Carolina still navigating the long recovery process after Helene. SWANNANOA, N.C. — Emily Russell remembers feeling hopeful after she managed to get an appointment with the Federal Emergency Management Agency not long after Hurricane Helene ripped though her home in Swannanoa, North Carolina. But after several assistance requests were denied or left pending, Russell says the agency has been…

Gusty winds will impact the entire Charlotte area tomorrow, even after the storms are over. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Overnight Have the umbrellas handy! It’ll be cloudy and cool with spotty rain until midnight. Then, temperatures will begin to warm up ahead of an approaching cold front Sunday morning. Sunday Warm air advection (or temperatures warming ahead of a storm system) will allow for temperatures to soar to the low 60s before storms arrive in Charlotte…

A line of storms will bring the threat of severe weather to Charlotte on Sunday morning. Here are the potential impacts. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A line of storms could bring heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds to the Charlotte area and western North Carolina on Sunday morning.  The WCNC Weather Impact Team is declaring a Weather Impact Alert due to the threat of severe weather. Everyone in the Carolinas should be weather aware on Sunday…

Weather Impact Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich says periods of heavy rain late Wednesday night could lead to flash flooding across the Charlotte area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Periods of heavy rain and ice are causing treacherous travel conditions in the North Carolina mountains, as well as widespread power outages in the High Country.  Weather Impact Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said there is some good news, though. Temperatures are above freezing, which means we’re seeing much less…

The WCNC Weather Impact Team is encouraging folks in the mountains to stay alert on Wednesday due to the impacts of wintry precipitation. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Ice Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory has been extended until 1 p.m. and the Winter Storm Warning will remain active for Watauga and Ashe County until 4 p.m.. Freezing rain will switch over to just a cold rain through the morning but the winter weather impacts remain…

Grassroots projects to reunite people with their photos have sprung up in Asheville, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Hollowed-out homes. Cars entombed by mud. Unpeopled roads. Belongings reduced to dirt and debris. It all took a toll on Taylor Schenker. After Hurricane Helene last September, Schenker was upset by the deluge of images of Asheville, North Carolina. “This storm has taken so much,” she said, “and it’s so jarring to see the…

WCNC Weather Impact Team is encouraging folks in the mountains to stay weather aware Tuesday and Wednesday due to the impacts from wintry precipitation. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There is now an Ice Storm Warning, Winter Weather Advisory and Winter Storm Warning active for our North Carolina mountains. A wintry, damp and dreary pattern will be active through Thursday this week across the Carolinas. When MOUNTAINS: As of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, North Carolina’s Department of Transportation…

WCNC Weather Impact Team is encouraging folks in the mountains to stay weather aware Tuesday and Wednesday due to the impacts from wintry precipitation. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The damp and dreary pattern is now active through Thursday this week across the Carolinas. When The Charlotte area will experience off-and-on cold rain that will pick up Tuesday afternoon, continue through Tuesday evening and into Wednesday. The heaviest of this rainfall will begin Tuesday between 6 to…

Executive Order 323 allowed the NC DMV to suspend various late fees and ease certain requirements for residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some people are finding a surprise in their mailboxes: a check from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles refunding certain late fees because of Helene. But some are questioning if these checks are real or fake: THE QUESTION: From Viewer Chuck M, “I received a check from…

Executive Order 323 allowed the NC DMV to suspend various late fees and ease certain requirements for residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some people are finding a surprise in their mailboxes: a check from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles refunding certain late fees because of Helene. But some are questioning if these checks are real or fake: THE QUESTION: From Viewer Chuck M, “I received a check from…

We are encouraging folks in the mountains to stay weather aware Tuesday and Wednesday due to the impacts from wintry precipitation. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A damp and dreary pattern sets up this week across the Carolinas, beginning early Tuesday morning.  The Charlotte area will experience off-and-on cold rain Tuesday through Wednesday. The heaviest of this rainfall will begin Tuesday around 10 p.m. and last until midday Wednesday. This means the biggest impact on the Charlotte…

Volunteers built makeshift bridges from salvaged materials to connect isolated communities after Helene, but severe weather could jeopardize their progress. AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — With the threat of heavy rain in the mountains Thursday night into Friday, many residents in Avery County are concerned the upcoming rainfall could lead to setbacks for those still recovering from Hurricane Helene.  Temporary bridges have been built using salvaged materials, connecting isolated communities with nearby towns so folks can…