North Carolina News

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Delta strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane on Tuesday, making it the ninth hurricane of the season. The storm is also the 25th named storm of the season. The storm is expected to intensify as it moves over warmer water and make landfall along the Gulf Coast as a major hurricane, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. When that happens, Delta will be the record 10th storm…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A newly formed tropical system in the Caribbean Sea strengthened into Hurricane Delta on Monday evening, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Delta currently has maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. The forecast shows Delta moving into the Gulf of Mexico around Tuesday night or Wednesday. As of the 8 p.m. update, Hurricane Delta is moving 8 mph west-northwest. Delta…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Tropical Storm Delta formed Monday and could bring rain to North Carolina later this week. Tropical Depression 26 formed south of Jamaica on Sunday night. On Monday, it became a tropical storm. According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, the storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane over the next three days. Delta is expected to become a Cat. 1 hurricane on Wednesday and is likely to…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A newly formed tropical system in the Caribbean Sea strengthened into Tropical Storm Delta on Monday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Storm Delta currently has maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour, but those are expected to increase as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. The forecast shows Delta moving into the Gulf of Mexico around Tuesday night or Wednesday. Around that same time, it is…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A newly formed tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea could hit Louisiana as a hurricane later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Depression 26 formed Sunday night just south of Jamaica. It currently has sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. The system is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm later Monday. At that point, it would become Tropical Storm Delta. The forecast shows Delta moving into…

Tropical Depression 26 formed in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday night with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The system is expected to become Tropical Storm Delta on Monday and will likely approach the northern Gulf Coast later this week as a hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Depression 26 is currently 75 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica. The system itself moving west-northwest at 9 mph with maximum gusts of 45 mph. We…

MEXICO CITY — At least 6 people died and thousands were evacuated in southeastern Mexico after Tropical Storm Gamma lashed the Yucatan Peninsula’s resort-studded coast with near-hurricane force winds and drenched Tabasco and Chiapas states, authorities said Sunday. Mexico’s civil defense agency said in a statement that four of the deaths, including two children, were in Chiapas, where a landslide on a mountainous slope buried their home. The other two deaths were in Tabasco state,…

SAN FRANCISCO — Deadly wildfires in California have burned more than 4 million acres this year – more than double the previous record for the most land burned in a single year in the state. California fire officials said the state hit the astonishing milestone Sunday with about two months remaining in the fire season. The previous record was set two years ago when wildfires destroyed 1.67 million acres (2,609 square miles). Flames have scorched…

MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Gamma hit the resort-dotted coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula at near-hurricane force on Saturday, flooding streets, knocking down vulnerable buildings and stranding people trying to return from outlying islands. The storm came ashore near Tulum with maximum sustained winds of nearly 70 mph (110 kph) — 4 mph (9 kph short of hurricane force), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. By night, winds had dipped to 60…

By SYLVIE CORBET and COLLEEN BARRY, Associated Press PARIS — Italian firefighters rescued 25 people trapped on the French side of a high mountain pass by severe flooding that killed two people in Italy, while 15 were stuck in a train station for the night and eight more remained missing Saturday in France. A storm that moved overnight across southeastern France into northwestern Italy caused major flooding on both sides of the border, destroying bridges,…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Tropical Storm Gamma made its way through the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday. It gained strength over Saturday but was not expected to impact the United States. It is also likely to fall apart after hitting the Gulf of Mexico waters again, meteorologist Zach Maloch said. Gamma strengthened from a Tropical Depression to a Tropical Storm on Friday. As of Saturday’s 8 p.m. report from the National Hurricane Center, the storm…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Tropical Storm Gamma made its way through the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday. It could become a hurricane soon as it continues to gain strength. It strengthened from a Tropical Depression to a Tropical Storm on Friday. As of Saturday’s 5 p.m. report from the National Hurricane Center, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving northwest at 9 mph. To become classified as a hurricane, a…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Tropical Storm Gamma made its way through the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday morning. It strengthened from a Tropical Depression to a Tropical Storm on Friday. As of Saturday morning, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving at a speed of 9 mph. To become classified as a hurricane, a storm needs to have maximum sustained winds of 74 mph. The storm is bringing showers and…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center & the Associated Press The 25th tropical system of the season that formed in the western Caribbean became Tropical Storm Gamma on Friday night. As of the 8 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Gamma had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was heading northwest at 9 mph. It was about 135 miles south southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Officials said Friday night Gamma is heading for Mexico’s Yucatan…

Tropical Depression 25 formed in the northwest Caribbean Friday morning with sustained winds of 35 mph. The government of Mexico has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Punta Herrero to Cabo Catoche and a Tropical Storm Watch south of Punta Herrero to Puerto Costa Maya and west of Cabo Catoche to Dzilam. The tropical depression could develop into a tropical storm as the system moves northwestward near the north…

A team of firefighters in Oregon has a new member with Jedi powers helping them battle the ongoing fires. The force is with them thanks to 5-year-old Carver, who has a heart of gold. Carver, a young Star Wars fan, sent the Baby Yoda doll to the crews as part of a donation drive. According to WMTW, the 5-year-old wanted to help once he learned about the wildfires in his state. Part of his donation…

By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ SAN FRANCISCO — Flames devoured swaths of brush and trees in Northern California on Wednesday amid unseasonably hot and dry weather. Officials said wind-whipped flames led two firefighters to deploy the emergency fire shelters they carry. The firefighters were assigned to the Glasser fire burning in wine country north of San Francisco Sunday when gusty off-shore winds fanned the fire, prompting them to deploy their fire shelters after flames overwhelmed them….

SAN FRANCISCO — A friendly pup rescued from the Zogg Fire in Shasta County, California hopped right into the truck of a local CAL FIRE crew. Firefighters say the dog came out of one of the homes they were protecting, just west of Redding, and joined the efforts for the rest of the night. Fire crews gave the dog some water and and say he’s been with them since. According to the Haven Humane Society…

SAN FRANCISCO — The band Metallica tweeted Tuesday that they plan to donate $250,000 to aid in West Coast fire relief efforts as a part of their #MetallicaGivesBack campaign in which they participate in and donate to various charity events. “This is the fourth consecutive year, dating back to the formation of the foundation, that All Within My Hands has activated to support fire relief: the critical local services component of our mission. This year,…

By WRAL Weather Raleigh, N.C. — Strong to severe storms and isolated flooding are likely Tuesday before a pattern of cooler fall air sets in for the first days of October. Some showers are possible southeast of Raleigh throughout Tuesday morning, but the Triangle will see mostly fog and drizzle. By Tuesday evening, storm chances increase. According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, strong storms could move in as early as 6 or 7 p.m. “You…

By WRAL Weather Raleigh, N.C. — Thunderstorms and isolated flooding are likely for the next few days before a pattern of cooler fall air sets in for the rest of the work week. According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, there is a 30% chance for rain and storms by late Monday afternoon, and highs will be in the low 80s. On Tuesday, the viewing area is under a Level 1 threat for severe weather, with…

NAPA COUNTY, CA. — Several buildings were set ablaze in Napa County, California on Sunday, as crews battled wildfires in the area. A mandatory evacuation was issued for some residents around St. Helena. Some structures were reduced to their foundations by the fires, which were spreading fast through the county known for its vineyards. Firefighters used aircraft to drop fire retardant and water over the flames, and the U.S. Forest Service announced on Friday that…

By WRAL Weather Raleigh, N.C. — A cold-front moving into the region will bring heavy rain and even the potential for severe storms this week. ​Excessive rainfall could onset flooding across the viewing area Tuesday. Monday is going to be warmer than usual, with a high of 82 degrees. Then on Wednesday temperatures are back down again to 72 degrees, which is below the regular temperature for this time of year. Monday morning will start…

Raleigh, N.C. — As part of the rain, storms and flash floods forecast for parts of NC this evening as the remnants of Beta pass over, a Tornado Warning was issued for Robeson County until 6:45 p.m. and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, and Moore counties until 7:15 p.m. Remnants from Beta will bring pockets of rain to us all evening on Friday. As of Friday afternoon, the Triangle…

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Frightening eyewitness video shows the moments an apparent tornado tore across the beach Friday afternoon in South Carolina. Footage from multiple angles shows beach umbrellas and other debris tossed through the air as the cell moved down the beach. The Myrtle Beach Fire Department said in a tweet that it happened around 74th Avenue N, adding that “there may be debris and other damage in the area.” They included photos of…

Raleigh, N.C. — Remnants from Beta will bring all-day rain to North Carolina on Friday, and much of the viewing area is under a risk for flash flooding. According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, scattered showers are likely for the morning commute, then scattered showers and storms will stay with us on and off throughout the entire day. The heaviest rain will fall in the late afternoon. While some thunderstorms will be possible, severe weather…

Raleigh, N.C. — Remnants from Beta will bring rain to much of North Carolina late Thursday and most of Friday. WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said Thursday will be a mostly cloudy day with scattered, light rain. The chance for rain rises from 20% Thursday afternoon to 50% by Thursday night as tropical moisture moves into our area. Our rain chances will increase Friday as the core of Beta’s remnants will move into central North Carolina….

By Aimee Wilmoth, WRAL meteorologist The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is already the second most active on record with 68 days left to go. We have already had to use the Greek alphabet for names as we have exhausted all of the other names. The only other year we have done this is 2005. That was a record-breaking year with 31 tropical or subtropical cyclones and 27 named storms. 2020 is outpacing 2005. Beta became…

By JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press HOUSTON — Tropical Storm Beta stalled out Tuesday along the Texas coast, flooding streets in Houston and Galveston hours after making landfall amid an unusually busy hurricane season. The storm made landfall late Monday just north of Port O’Connor, Texas, and has the distinction of being the first time a storm named for a Greek letter made landfall in the continental United States. Forecasters ran out of traditional storm…

HOUSTON — Tropical Storm Beta made landfall on the upper Texas coast Monday night. Early Tuesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Beta was 35 miles north northwest of the city with maximum winds of 40 mph. Beta is the ninth named storm to make landfall in the continental U.S. this year. That tied a record set in 1916, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. Beta is the first Greek letter named…