Raleigh North Carolina News

CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. — A trio of castaway cows has been discovered on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where they apparently washed up after swimming for miles to escape Hurricane Dorian storm surge. Cape Lookout National Seashore officials think the stranded cows swam up to 5 miles (8 kilometers) during the September storm before being found near Cape Lookout this month. The cows belong to a herd that roams freely on Cedar Island, across the sound….

By ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia — Scores of wildfires continued to rage across vast tracts of Australia’s drought-stricken east coast on Wednesday, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes, some for the second time in a week. The most intense fires were concentrated in the northeastern states of New South Wales and Queensland, although a fire emergency warning had also been issued for a blaze threatening the west coast city of Geraldton….

By ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s most populous state declared a state of emergency on Monday due to unprecedented wildfire danger as calls grew for Australia to take more action to counter climate change. New South Wales state Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said residents were facing what “could be the most dangerous bushfire week this nation has ever seen.” Fires in the state’s northeast have claimed three lives, destroyed more than…

By ADAM BEAM, Associated Press CHICO, Calif. — Amber Blood got to Chico on Nov. 8, 2018, wearing pink slacks and her favorite white peacoat. It was all she had left. Blood was among tens of thousands forced to flee as a wildfire roared through Paradise and nearby communities in Northern California, killing 85 people and destroying roughly 19,000 buildings. Nothing burned in Chico, the closest big city. And within hours, another city had moved…

By CHRISTOPHER WEBER, Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Authorities lifted all evacuation orders as firefighters made progress Sunday on a large blaze that sent thousands fleeing homes and farms northwest of Los Angeles. Crews working in steep terrain were tamping down hotspots and keeping an eye on lingering gusts in mountain areas that could carry embers, said Ventura County Fire Capt. Steve Kaufmann. “I’d say we’re cautiously optimistic,” Kaufmann said, citing calmer winds overall and…

Crews fought a pitched battle against the last remaining large wildfire in Southern California as the stubborn flames threatened nearly 2,000 homes and other buildings.

Sebastian Aho had two goals and an assist to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 7-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Andrei Svechnikov, Nino Neiderreiter, Martin … Click to Continue »

By JOHN ANTCZAK, Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Firefighters struggled Friday to contain a big Southern California wildfire amid shifting winds, forcing authorities to expand evacuations as forecasters extended fire weather warnings into the weekend. The blaze dubbed the Maria Fire erupted late Thursday northwest of Los Angeles during what had been expected to be the tail end of a siege of Santa Ana winds that fanned destructively across the region, but a tug-of-war developed…

By SAM MEDNICK and TOM ODULA, Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya — More than 1 million people in East Africa are affected by flooding after higher than normal rainfall, an aid group said Friday. Parts of the region are bracing for a tropical storm, Kyarr, that could worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. The International Rescue Committee said many people had been reeling from an earlier period of severe drought. Now the rains in parts of…

Lynn Darst and her husband were camped out in their motor home on the edge of their seats for four days wondering if their house would survive yet another wildfire … Click to Continue »

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — It was a wet, windy and potentially dangerous Halloween as severe weather moved through the state. Eastern parts of Wake County are under tornado warning until 9:45 p.m. Franklin County is also under this tornado warning. Mecklenburg County, Virginia remains under a tornado warning until 9:30 p.m… Other counties remain under severe thunderstorm warnings or watches. The weather took a toll on festivities across the area, including on Franklin Street in…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Ghouls, goblins, witches, and zombies better keep an umbrella in their candy sack and an eye to the sky this evening. Tornado warnings put parts of the Triangle and surrounding areas on alert as severe weather moved through the area. Mecklenburg County, Virginia remains under a tornado warning until 9:30 p.m… A tornado watch has been issued for much of North Carolina, including Wake County, Edgecombe County, Franklin County. Nash County,…

A large swath of central North Carolina is under a tornado watch as a line of storms approach the region, which is under a Level 3 risk for severe weather. At a glance: A line of fast-moving storms are moving through the region. The entire region is under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. For full list: Click here There are reports of trees down in Orange County and about 1,000 customers are without power….

Parts of eastern Wake and southern Franklin counties were under a tornado warning from roughly 9:05 to 9:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Areas of concern included Knightdale … Click to Continue »

By Alfred Charles, WRAL.com managing editor Raleigh, N.C. — A large swath of central North Carolina is under a tornado watch as a line of storms approach the region, which is under a Level 3 risk for severe weather. A tornado warning has been issued for several central North Carolina counties, including central Caswell County, southeastern Rockingham, and southwestern Caswell and northern Guilford County. Anyone in that area was asked to take cover because of…

By Alfred Charles, WRAL.com managing editor Raleigh, N.C. — A large swath of central North Carolina is under a tornado watch as a line of storms approach the region, which is under a Level 3 risk for severe weather. A tornado warning has been issued for several central North Carolina counties, including southeastern Rockingham, and southwestern Caswell and northern Guilford County. Anyone in that area was asked to take cover because of the threat of flying…

Trick-or-treaters are in for a rough night. A heightened risk of tornadoes and strong winds is at play as storms develop along the cold front, forecasters warned. The Charlotte region … Click to Continue »

A large swath of central North Carolina is under a tornado watch as a line of storms approach the region, which is under a Level 3 risk for severe weather.

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — The region is under a level 3 risk for severe weather on Halloween night with dangerous conditions expected to move into the Triangle by 8 or 9 p.m. “The timeline for severe weather is going to be critical for folks headed out to trick-or-treat,” said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. Spotty showers across the region Thursday afternoon could give way to gusty winds and isolated tornadoes in the…

By BRIAN MELLEY and MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ, Associated Press SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Strong winds fanned new fires in Southern California on Thursday, burning homes and forcing residents to flee in a repeat of a frightening scenario already faced by tens of thousands across the state. The latest blazes erupted in the heavily populated inland region east of Los Angeles as strong, seasonal Santa Ana winds continued to blow with gusts of up to 60…

Durham, N.C. — A giant moon hanging above the CCB Plaza in Durham is already wowing crowds. But visitors won’t be able to see it on Halloween, organizers say. Strong winds anticipated Thursday forced organizers to take down the Bull Moon Rising exhibit. The hanging moon, which has a diameter of nearly 23 feet, was created by Luke Jerram, an artist from the United Kingdom. The Triangle is under a level 3 risk for severe…

Beware — severe weather is forecast for the Midlands on Halloween. Thunderstorms, damaging winds and tornadoes are all possible Thursday, according to the National Weather Service office in Columbia. Hail … Click to Continue »

Ghouls, goblins, witches and zombies better keep an umbrella in their candy sack this evening.

Sam Jankovich, the Miami Hurricanes’ athletic director when they won their first three national championships in football, has died. He was 85. Jankovich died Wednesday in Hayden Lake, Idaho. A … Click to Continue »

A wind-whipped outbreak of wildfires outside Los Angeles on Wednesday threatened thousands of homes and horse ranches, forced the smoky evacuation of elderly patients in wheelchairs and narrowly bypassed the … Click to Continue »

Forecasters say Subtropical Storm Rebekah has formed in the north Atlantic but currently poses no threats to land.

A wind-whipped outbreak of wildfires outside Los Angeles threatened thousands of homes and horse ranches Wednesday, forced the evacuation of elderly patients in wheelchairs and narrowly bypassed the Ronald Reagan … Click to Continue »

In North Carolina, the transitional seasons of fall and spring are when we see those big temps swings. We did start this month with a 100-degree day! Now, we are about to see another swing over the next couple of days. 80 degrees on Halloween, freezing temps by Sunday. And when we see those big shifts in an air mass, we usually get storms. Thursday will be one of those days. Because of the possibility…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service has upgraded the risk for stormy weather for much of the Triangle on Thursday night, which is now under a level 3 risk for severe weather. WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said rough weather could complicate Halloween night festivities. The region is under a risk for severe weather late Halloween night, but trick-or-treaters should be able to stay dry as they collect candy. Wednesday…

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The Latest on California wildfires (all times local): 10:30 a.m. A wind-driven wildfire burning northwest of Los Angeles has grown to 1,300 acres (526 hectares). The Ventura County Fire Department says the blaze is threatening 6,500 homes. The fire erupted before dawn Wednesday between the cities of Simi Valley and Moorpark, It has been spread by strong Santa Ana winds. Flames have approached the hilltop Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, but a…

A strong storm could soak trick-or-treaters and bring an isolated tornado to central North Carolina on Halloween, forecasters say. Wednesday’s rain chances are expected to linger overnight, and thunderstorms are … Click to Continue »

A new large wildfire broke out Wednesday in Southern California amid gusty winds, forcing the evacuation of the Ronald Regain Presidential Library and nearby homes.

In North Carolina, the transitional seasons of fall and spring are when we see those big temps swings. We did start this month with a 100-degree day! Now, we are about to see another swing over the next couple of days. 80 degrees on Halloween, freezing temps by Sunday. And when we see those big shifts in an air mass, we usually get storms. Thursday will be one of those days. Because of the possibility…

The weather forecast in the Midlands on Thursday night is no treat for anyone going out on Halloween. Thunderstorms are expected to bring rain, and temperatures will drop drastically once … Click to Continue »

The region is under a risk for severe weather late Halloween night, but trick-or-treaters should be able to stay dry as they collect candy.

By STEFANIE DAZIO and BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Crews fought Tuesday to drown, slash and smother wildfires that have incinerated dozens of homes in Northern and Southern California before returning windstorms can blow them back into furious life. In California’s wine country, firefighters worked to reinforce fire lines in western Sonoma County while rushing to shore up the eastern side that could be the new focus as winds switched direction. “We’re playing…

Wildfires, smoke and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. power cuts that have displaced tens of thousands have also hit Northern California state parks, state officials say. The California Department of … Click to Continue »

By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer WASHINGTON — The number of people threatened by climate change-triggered flooding is about three times higher than previously thought, a new study says. But it’s not because of more water. It’s because the land, especially in Asia and the developing world, is several feet lower than what space-based radar has calculated, according to a study in the journal Nature Communications Tuesday. So instead of 80 million people living in…

Firefighters are battling several major wildfires across California. This includes the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County that’s engulfed 66,000 acres as of October 28, 2019. … Click to Continue »

KENWOOD, Calif. — The show must gone on — even during the massive Kincade Fire in Northern California’s Sonoma County. Karna Roa, a wedding photographer, captured this dramatic photo of a bride and groom getting married in Kenwood on Saturday while the Kincade Fire burned just miles away. “Beautiful wedding at Chateau St Jean yesterday,” Roa posted on Facebook Sunday. “This lovely couple flew from Chicago for their gorgeous destination in the wine country.” Roa…

A wildfire swept through the star-studded hills of Los Angeles early Monday, destroying several large homes and forcing LeBron James and thousands of others to flee in the middle of … Click to Continue »

By JOSH FUNK, Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. — Flooding along the Missouri River has stretched on for seven months in places and could endure through the winter, leaving some Upper Midwest farmland and possibly some homes encased in ice. There are several reasons for the flooding, including high levels along the river, saturated ground and broken levees. And with the forecasters predicting a wetter-than-normal winter, it’s possible the flooding could continue in some places all…

The Latest on California wildfires (all times local): 10:10 a.m. Classes have been canceled at the University of California, Los Angeles because of the wildfire raging in the city that … Click to Continue »

Tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate as wildfires burn across Northern and Southern California, driven by winds. The Kincade Fire broke out Wednesday and has since burned more … Click to Continue »

By TERENCE CHEA and DON THOMPSON, Associated Press SANTA ROSA, California — Firefighters battled destructive wildfires north of San Francisco and in western neighborhoods of Los Angeles on Monday, trying to beat back flames that forced thousands to flee their homes. Easing winds offered a chance of improved conditions for firefighters trying to control a huge fire in Sonoma County wine country north of San Francisco, but forecasters warned that another round of strong wind…

Stay up to date on the wildfires with breaking news alerts. Sign up here. This story will be updated. Check back for the latest information. Firefighters are battling several major … Click to Continue »

By TERRY CHEA and DAISY NGUYEN, Associated Press SANTA ROSA, California — California’s governor declared a statewide emergency with nearly 200,000 people ordered to flee their homes because of wildfires fueled by historic winds, while millions were without electricity after the largest utility cut power in some areas as a precaution to prevent other fires. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that officials are deploying “every resource available” to respond to the wildfires, including…

By Peta Sheerwood, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — Spotty showers and a chance for severe weather will dampen the final day of the North Carolina State Fair, but this evening should be dry. According to WRAL meteorologist Peta Sheerwood, most of the rain that will fall Sunday morning and afternoon should be gone by dinnertime. Before that, rain will be patchy. The precipitation comes from remnants of Olga, a post-tropical system that brought severe weather…