Raleigh North Carolina News

By Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter Fayetteville, N.C. — Although it’s no longer under a rare and dangerous Level 4 risk for severe weather, Cumberland County could be among one of the hardest hit areas when thunderstorms arrive Thursday evening. It is a threat that Crystal Brown doesn’t take lightly. She was principal of Ben Martin Elementary School in 2011 when a tornado destroyed a neighborhood and blew part of the roof of her school….

By WRAL Severe Weather Center A Tornado Watch has been issued for most of the WRAL viewing area until 9 p.m. “This includes all of the Triangle, Fayetteville, the Sandhills, Johnston County, Nash County and Halifax County,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado. A Tornado Warning means severe weather is imminent or occurring. “You should be reviewing your safety plan and if a warning is issued,…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A Tornado Watch has been issued for Durham, Wake, Cumberland and other Central North Carolina counties. Much of central North Carolina’s risk for severe weather has been downgraded, but severe weather is still likely throughout the region Thursday. The National Weather Service has removed the category 4 risk for the area. Now the region is under a level 3 threat. The severe threat will last through 8 or 9 p.m., Chief…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Although the threat for dangerous weather Thursday afternoon remains very high, North Carolina is no longer in the Level 4 risk zone for severe weather. Tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are all possible in central North Carolina, including the Triangle, on Thursday. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center (NWS SPC) has the WRAL viewing area under a Level 3 risk for severe weather. Thursday afternoon, the NWS SPC removed…

By Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter, and Jessica Patrick, WRAL multiplatform producer Fayetteville, N.C. — Although it’s no longer under a rare and dangerous Level 4 risk for severe weather, Cumberland County could be among one of the hardest hit areas when thunderstorms arrive late Thursday afternoon. A Level 3 out of 5 storm risk is extremely rare in North Carolina, according to WRAL meteorologists, and a Level 4, which was in place until 1…

By Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter, and Jessica Patrick, WRAL multiplatform producer Fayetteville, N.C. — Currently under a rare and dangerous Level 4 risk for severe weather, Cumberland County could be among one of the hardest hit areas when thunderstorms arrive late Thursday afternoon. A Level 4 out of 5 storm risk is extremely rare in North Carolina, according to WRAL meteorologists. The last time the state was under a Level 4 risk a day…

By Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter Durham, N.C. — Duke Energy representatives are reminding their customers about the importance of having an emergency plan should they lose power during a severe weather event. Duke Energy has several thousand line workers on standby and crews and getting trucks ready for what could be a busy day on Thursday. The Triangle is at a level 3 risk for severe weather with damaging winds and hail possible. Counties…

Duke Energy representatives are reminding their customers about the importance of having an emergency plan should they lose power during a severe weather event. Duke Energy has several thousand line workers on standby and crews and getting trucks ready for what could be a busy day on Thursday. The Triangle is at a level 3 risk for severe weather with damaging winds and hail possible. Counties south and east of the Triangle could see a…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Much of central North Carolina’s risk for severe weather has been downgraded, but severe weather is still likely throughout the region Thursday. To get the latest weather alerts sent straight to your phone, download the ABC11 app The National Weather Service moved the category 4 risk south and east. Wayne, Sampson and Cumberland counties remain in the level 4 threat, with the rest of the region under a level 3 threat….

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Much of central North Carolina’s risk for severe weather has been downgraded, but severe weather is still likely throughout the region Thursday. To get the latest weather alerts sent straight to your phone, download the ABC11 app The National Weather Service moved the category 4 risk south and east. Wayne, Sampson and Cumberland counties remain in the level 4 threat, with the rest of the region under a level 3 threat….

By Bryan Pietsch, New York Times A “significant tornado outbreak” was expected to hit parts of the South with dangerous winds and hail Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. Tornado warnings were in effect across Mississippi and Alabama on Wednesday afternoon, according to Bill Bunting, chief of forecast operations at the Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. There were already reports of damaged homes in Wayne County, Mississippi, and wind damage to structures and trees in…

Ahead of the potentially severe weather that the Triangle may face on Thursday, many preparations are being made; whether it’s making sure homes are secured to prevent flooding or something as simple as fueling up cars. Crews are on standby across the state ready to be deployed in case of an emergency. DURHAM & WAKE PREPARATIONS Customers at Triangle Pharmacy and Ace Hardware in Durham are not necessarily looking for storm supplies. Brenda Howard says…

By Joe Fisher and Ali Ingersoll, WRAL reporters Raleigh, N.C. — More than 25 tornadoes touched down, 24 people were killed, hundreds of homes were destroyed and thousands were damaged in the outbreak on April 16, 2011. For residents of Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood, it was the start of a long road back and a lesson they will never forget. “I remember basically huddling in the bathroom with the dog while it went by,” said Curtis…

By Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter Sanford, N.C. — On April 16, 2011, more than 25 tornadoes touched down in North Carolina. One tornado blazed a path of destruction from Sanford to Raleigh — more than 40 miles away. Thursday’s storms are not expected to be as widespread, but it’s possible central North Carolina could see tornadoes of similar strength. An EF-3 tornado, with winds up to 160 miles an hour, destroyed the Lowes in Sanford…