North Carolina News

More than 55,000 flood loss claims have been reported to the National Flood Insurance Program. WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Wednesday that flood insurance payments for Hurricane Helene have exceeded $1 billion.  Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, caused widespread devastation across several states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.  As of Wednesday, more than 55,000 flood loss claims have been…

Scattered storms on Thursday will be fueled by temperatures near 70 degrees. Brad Panovich explains his forecast. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A stormy Thanksgiving weather forecast will impact the holiday in the Carolinas and across the East Coast, WCNC Charlotte Weather Impact Chief Meteolorigst Brad Panovich says. With generally clear weather in Charlotte on Wednesday, the rainy – and potentially stormy – weather moves into the Southeast beginning early Thursday morning. On Thursday, parts of the…

Cooper criticized the General Assembly’s recent recovery bill, describing it as a “power grab” that fails to provide immediate funding to small businesses. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a state “disaster relief” bill because he says the “legislation is a sham.” Senate Bill 382 was passed last week by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. The bill contained $227 million in relief from the state’s reserves but ordered the money to remain…

Cooper criticized the General Assembly’s recent recovery bill, describing it as a “power grab” that fails to provide immediate funding to small businesses. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a state “disaster relief” bill because he says the “legislation is a sham.” Senate Bill 382 was passed last week by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. The bill contained $227 million in relief from the state’s reserves but ordered the money to remain…

Cooper criticized the General Assembly’s recent recovery bill, describing it as a “power grab” that fails to provide immediate funding to small businesses. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a state “disaster relief” bill because he says the “legislation is a sham.” Senate Bill 382 was passed last week by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. The bill contained $227 million in relief from the state’s reserves but ordered the money to remain…

We reached out to NC Emergency Management for details. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — It has been nearly two months since Hurricane Helene made landfall in western North Carolina, destroying everything from trees to homes to entire town squares. The storm left behind a nearly incalculable amount of debris, and in the weeks since Helene landed there have been immense efforts from both North Carolina government leaders and citizens of western North Carolina to clear out the…

Warming ocean waters contributed to Helene’s intensity but others were classic weather set ups, like a predecessor rain event. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There have been a lot of questions, comments and misinformation floating around about Hurricane Helene and the storm’s ties to climate change. Before we answer the question about whether climate change had an impact on Helene, let’s look at the facts we know about tropical systems and the Atlantic Basin. The oceans are…

Teresa Thibault has been selling handmade ornaments at the Southern Christmas Show for 32 years. Now she’s helping Helene victims through the holiday season. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For those who love Christmas, the Southern Christmas Show is holiday season central.  It’s a place to find the perfect gift, support small businesses and make treasured memories. If you’re not sure where to start, Teresa Thibault’s ornament stand is where you can do all three — and…

Teresa Thibault has been selling handmade ornaments at the Southern Christmas Show for 32 years. Now she’s helping Helene victims through the holiday season. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For those who love Christmas, the Southern Christmas Show is holiday season central.  It’s a place to find the perfect gift, support small businesses and make treasured memories. If you’re not sure where to start, Teresa Thibault’s ornament stand is where you can do all three — and…

Sen. Thom Tillis demanded urgent action in an emotional plea to the Senate for Helene relief in western North Carolina. Sen. Thom Tillis gave a passionate testimony on Wednesday, calling for additional federal relief for North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene during a hearing with the Senate Appropriations Committee.  During his testimony, Tillis described how many people lost their homes and businesses, telling Senate lawmakers about the catastrophic damage in western North Carolina. Helene is…