North Carolina News

OKLAHOMA — At least two people are dead and another 29 are injured after a tornado swept through the state of Oklahoma. Video shows the destruction in El Reno, after the tornado hit a hotel, mobile home park, and several other buildings. Twenty-nine people were taken to the hospital after the tornado. Their injuries range from minor to critical. A woman described the terrifying moments when the twister touched down. “I heard it coming. I…

Emergency workers check what is left of the second floor of a hotel, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in El Reno, Ok., following a likely tornado touchdown late Saturday night. Sue Ogrocki AP Photo EL RENO, Okla. A tornado leveled a motel and tore through a mobile home park near Oklahoma City overnight, killing two people and injuring at least 29 others, authorities said Sunday. The twister touched down in El Reno, about 25 miles west…

EL RENO, Okla. The Latest on a likely tornado that touched down in El Reno, Oklahoma (all times local): 7:10 a.m. Officials say two people have died after a likely tornado destroyed a motel and swept through a nearby mobile home park in the Oklahoma City area. El Reno Mayor Matt White said during a news conference Sunday that “there have been two fatalities at this point in time.” He said officials are working to…

EL RENO, Okla. The National Weather Service says a likely tornado has destroyed a motel and caused other damage in the Oklahoma City area. Meteorologist Rick Smith in Norman says the suspected twister hit El Reno on Saturday night as a powerful storm system rolled through the state. Smith says crews will assess the damage on Sunday to determine the severity. The American Budget Value Inn was destroyed by the storm. Video at the scene…

Water is released from the Keystone Dam into the Arkansas River northwest of Tulsa, Okla., Friday, May 24, 2019. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began increasing the amount of water being released from the dam on Friday to control the flooding. Tulsa World via AP Tom Gilbert TULSA, Okla. Oklahoma officials are urging residents to prepare to evacuate some Tulsa neighborhoods that are near stressed, old levees along the Arkansas River. City officials said…

KABUL, Afghanistan The Afghan government says at least 24 people have been killed and 11 others injured in the past month as a new wave of heavy rains and flooding has swept parts of the country. A statement released Saturday by the Afghan Ministry for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs says flooding has affected six of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, including the capital, Kabul. Around 500 people were rescued in central Bamyan province’s Sheber district, according…

FILE- In this Oct. 11, 2018 file photo, a soldier stands guard at the damaged entrance to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla., in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. David Goldman, File AP Photo BRADENTON, Fla. Longtime Sarasota-area resident Chris Dillon is no stranger to hurricanes. Riding out a direct hit from Hurricane Michael at Tyndall Air Force Base in October tested the veteran Florida Army National Guard lieutenant colonel’s nerve and spurred…

This aerial image shows the Arkansas River with the Tulsa, Okla., skyline after flooding on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Storms and torrential rains have ravaged the Midwest, from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, in the past few days. Tulsa World via AP Tom Gilbert LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The Latest on tornadoes and flooding in the Midwest (all times local): 10 p.m. A tornado has touched down just south of Iowa City,…

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Aerial footage from the Ameren Missouri energy utility paints an eerie picture of the damage from a violent tornado in Jefferson City, Missouri. According to Storyful, Ameren reported that about 200 utility poles had been damaged in the area, cutting power to parts of the city and nearby Eldon. Severe weather across the state left at least three people dead and dozens injured. The National Weather Service confirmed that the large…

Fire fighters extinguish a forests fire near Kfar Uriya, Thursday, May 23, 2019. Israeli police have ordered the evacuation of several communities in southern and central Israel as wildfires rage amid a major heatwave. Ariel Schalit AP Photo JERUSALEM Israel is bracing for renewed wildfires amid a major heat wave that shows no signs of abating. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes on Thursday as fires raged, fueled by high temperatures and dry…

ELKO, Nev. The Forest Service is reopening a national forest road in northeast Nevada that’s been closed since a big wildfire in the Ruby Mountains last fall. All 15 miles (24 kilometers) of Forest Service Road 660, known as the Lamoille Canyon Road, were scheduled to reopen near Elko on Friday in time for heavy visitation expected Memorial Day weekend. All trails, picnic areas, and national forest campgrounds along the roadway will be open. Forest…

Missouri tornado damage traps people in homes The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 22, 2019. Jefferson City Police Lt. David Williams said the department got calls about people trapped in their homes. By × The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 22, 2019. Jefferson City Police Lt. David Williams said the department got calls about people…

They are called storm chasers, and they’re knocking on doors in our area after the hail and high winds last week that caused damage to several homes. If their sales pitch includes that they can replace your roof for free, you need to be on guard. Even though the word free is in there, the sales pitch could cost you. ABC11 viewers tell me they are getting phone calls from roofing companies who tell them…

St Louis Blues fans defy tornado warning to watch Western Conference Finals Defiant St Louis Blues fans were undeterred by a tornado warning issued for the city on May 21, just hours before Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals between the Blues and the San Jose Sharks. By × Defiant St Louis Blues fans were undeterred by a tornado warning issued for the city on May 21, just hours before Game 6 of the…

Missouri tornado damage traps people in homes The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 22, 2019. Jefferson City Police Lt. David Williams said the department got calls about people trapped in their homes. By × The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 22, 2019. Jefferson City Police Lt. David Williams said the department got calls about people…

31 Images Tornado, deadly storms ravage Missouri 80 Images Epicenter Festival draws thousands to Richmond County for camping, concerts 38 Images NHL playoffs mania brings out the Caniacs 129 Images Epicenter Music Festival debuts in Rockingham 41 Images ‘Mom and Me’: WRAL family shares Mother’s Day photos 14 Images Sneak Peek: Bull City Mini golf course in Durham 20 Images Red Balloon Project hosts superhero party for special kids 19 Images Memorable signs from downtown…

A below-average hurricane season? A look at the names, early predictions for 2019 The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30. Here’s a look at the season’s early predictions — and what this year’s storms will be named. By × The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30. Here’s a look at the season’s early predictions — and what this year’s storms will be named. By The 2019 hurricane…

By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer WASHINGTON — U.S. weather officials say the Atlantic hurricane season should be near normal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday predicted nine to 15 named storms. It says four to eight of them will become hurricanes and two to four of those major hurricanes with 111 mph winds or higher. NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs says a current El Nino, a periodic warming of the central Pacific that…

The sign for the Hidden Oaks apartment complex in Jefferson City Missouri stands bent on May 23, 2019, from an apparent tornado in front of a tree that was ripped apart. A “violent tornado” touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri, causing possible fatalities, according to the National Weather Service David A. Lieb AP Photo JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The Latest on severe weather moving across the central United States (all times local): 10:40 a.m. The National…

RALEIGH (WTVD) — The 2019 hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean starts June 1, and now we have an idea of how many major hurricanes forecasters are expecting this year. On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its outlook, predicting a near-normal season with a 70 percent chance of nine to 15 named storms, which have sustained winds at least 39 mph. Of those, four to eight will become hurricanes and two…

Weather News Missouri tornado damage traps people in homes By May 23, 2019 10:46 AM The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 22, 2019. Jefferson City Police Lt. David Williams said the department got calls about people trapped in their homes.

JERUSALEM — Israeli police have ordered the evacuation of several communities in southern and central Israel as wildfires rage amid a major heatwave. Firefighters battled brushfires Thursday along the Gaza boundary, as well as near the country’s main international airport and outside Jerusalem. A major Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway was also closed to traffic because of the fire. Israel and the region are gripped by a major heatwave, with temperatures around the country reaching 100 F…

BRUNSWICK CO., N.C. (WTVD) — A school district in North Carolina will be giving all students free breakfast and lunch in the next school year. Brunswick County Schools announced the lunch policy change Wednesday. Students were already eligible for free breakfast, but the school is expanding that to include healthy lunches. The district cited Hurricane Florence, and its lasting devastation, as a reason for the policy change. According to a news release, with more than…

The sign for the Hidden Oaks apartment complex in Jefferson City Missouri stands bent on May 23, 2019, from an apparent tornado in front of a tree that was ripped apart. A “violent tornado” touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri, causing possible fatalities, according to the National Weather Service David A. Lieb AP Photo JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. A tornado has caused heavy damage in Missouri’s capital city as severe weather swept across the state overnight,…

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — A tornado outbreak in Missouri has left three people killed and left major damage in the state capitol of Jefferson City Wednesday. One tornado touched down in the Golden City area, killing three people. Golden City is not far from Joplin, where exactly eight years ago more than 150 people were killed in a tornado. In Jefferson City, the National Weather Service reported that a “confirmed large and destructive tornado” was…

This still image taken from video provided by Chris Higgins shows a tornado, Wednesday, May 22, 2019, in Carl Junction, Mo. The tornado caused some damage in the town of Carl Junction, about 4 miles (6.44 kilometers) north of the Joplin airport. (Chris Higgins via AP) Chris Higgins AP JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. A “violent tornado” touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri, causing heavy damage, according to the National Weather Service, but there were no immediate…

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — A “violent tornado” touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri, causing heavy damage Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The service reported that a “confirmed large and destructive tornado” was observed over Jefferson City at 11:43 p.m. Wednesday, moving northeast at 40 mph (64 kph). The capital city has a population of about 40,000 and is located 130 miles (209 kilometers) west of St. Louis. No fatalities have been reported but…

This still image taken from video provided by Chris Higgins shows a tornado, Wednesday, May 22, 2019, in Carl Junction, Mo. The tornado caused some damage in the town of Carl Junction, about 4 miles (6.44 kilometers) north of the Joplin airport. (Chris Higgins via AP) Chris Higgins AP JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The National Weather Service says a “violent tornado” has touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri, causing possible fatalities and heavy damage. The service…

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt talks with the media following an aerial tour of tornado and flood damaged areas of the state, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in Oklahoma City. Sue Ogrocki AP Photo OKLAHOMA CITY The Latest on storm damage in the Southern Plains and Midwest (all times local): 8:30 p.m. A tornado warning has been issued for the city of Joplin, Missouri, eight years to the day since a massive tornado devastated the city and…

Raleigh, N.C. — A Rocky Mount woman pleaded guilty to getting federal disaster assistance she wasn’t entitled to, while a Goldsboro woman is charged with making up hurricane damage in order to bilk her insurance company, authorities said Wednesday. Sheila Ruffin, 50, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of disaster fraud related to the Hurricane Matthew recovery effort conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, authorities said. Ruffin submitted fraudulent documents to FEMA and collected more…

Trial begins for ex-NFL player in series of rapes A jury in Southern California heard opening statements in the trial of former Miami Hurricane and NFL star Kellen Winslow Jr. on May 20, 2019. He faces charges of raping two women in 2018 and an unconscious 17-year-old girl in 2003. By × A jury in Southern California heard opening statements in the trial of former Miami Hurricane and NFL star Kellen Winslow Jr. on May…

The Cheat River through West Virginia, where a kayaker was killed when a tree fell during a storm Sunday. Facebook screenshot/Friends of the Cheat A kayaker died in a “terrible freak thing” Sunday on West Virginia’s Cheat River, after he and two companions rushed to shore during a severe storm and got hit by a tree. David Treadaway of Maryland died under the weight of the tree, according to witness Doug Pollard, who was also…

By Lauren Brownlow, WRALSportsFan columnist/reporter Raleigh, N.C. — THUNK. Two rather large hockey players collide loudly with the tempered glass just in front of her at full speed, one of the only noises loud enough to penetrate the steady roar of the PNC Arena playoff hockey crowd in what would be the Hurricanes’ final game of their magical run to the Eastern Conference Finals. But Nikki Stoudt does not even flinch. “You get used to…

A dangerous storm system in the Midwest produced dozens of tornadoes for the second consecutive day Tuesday, demolishing a racetrack grandstand and damaging buildings in a wild animal park in Missouri but sparing St. Louis, the biggest city in its path. Two deaths, both in Missouri, were blamed on the severe weather that started in the Southern Plains Monday night and moved to the northeast. Missouri and parts of Illinois and Arkansas were in the…

CARSON CITY, Nev. Southern Nevada faces a higher risk of wildfires this summer after winter and spring precipitation fueled more grass and vegetation that could burn, officials said Tuesday. The above-normal grass growth has rarely been seen in the past decade, Nevada state Forester and Firewarden Kacey KC told Gov. Steve Sisolak during a briefing in Carson City. The snowpack in northern Nevada and the state’s higher mountain elevations have produced cooler, wetter conditions that…

Carolina Hurricanes Hurricanes’ Waddell and Brind’Amour recap 2018-19 season and look to the future By May 21, 2019 05:36 PM Carolina Hurricanes President and General Manager Don Waddell and coach Rod Brind’Amour hold their final press conference of the season

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour on having two goalies : ‘They both work well together’ Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour talks about his two goalies following the Hurricanes’ practice By × Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour talks about his two goalies following the Hurricanes’ practice By Raleigh For all that’s changed in the past year, since the Carolina Hurricanes gave Rod Brind’Amour the keys and told him to go build a team in his own image,…

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour watches play from the bench during the third period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, in Raleigh Karl B DeBlaker AP Raleigh It’s hard to imagine a team undergoing a lot more change than the Carolina Hurricanes in the past year or so. The Canes had a new head coach, Rod Brind’Amour, and newly named general manager, Don Waddell. It had a…

MIAMI — The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was fizzling out Tuesday over the western Atlantic, far from any shore. The National Hurricane Center said Subtropical Storm Andrea was about 280 miles (450 kilometers) west-southwest of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds dropping to about 35 mph (55 kph). As of 11 a.m., it was moving northward at 8 mph (13 kph) and turning northeastward. The Miami-based center said people in Bermuda should…

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma — An intense storm system moved across the Southern Plains on Monday, spawning tornadoes that caused scattered damage and a deluge of rain but not the “particularly dangerous” twisters that forecasters had feared. No injuries were reported. Late Monday, the National Weather Service reduced the severe threat of violent storms to a small area of southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. But it kept an area stretching from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Wichita Falls,…