Raleigh North Carolina News

By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer Boone, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s home football game on Saturday against Liberty is canceled due to severe weather impacts caused by Tropical Storm Helene. The game will not be rescheduled, the university announced. Initially, App State (2-2) and Liberty (4-0) were scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone. The university also canceled Friday’s field hockey game against Bellarmine University. Helene…

Heavy rainfall over the past several days has resulted in widespread flooding across Johnston County, leading to road closures and disruptions to school schedules. Rivers and streams have overflowed, causing significant flooding in various parts of the county. As Hurricane Helene approaches southern Florida, additional rainfall is expected to bring more flooding. This could result in more road closures and delays for schools and drivers. Local authorities, including Johnston County Emergency Services (EMS) have reported…

The approach of Hurricane Helene is causing unease among residents who remember the devastating floods caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. That storm led to deadly floods and mudslides in western North Carolina communities like Canton in Haywood County. As Helene draws closer, local emergency services are preparing for potential flooding and water rescues. “We are responding with what we refer to as a structural rescue team,” said Chief Patrick Marks…

The worst impacts in North Carolina will be to the west and up in the mountains. Western North Carolina has already been dealing with heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes ahead of Helene’s arrival. The mayor of Canton, Zeb Smathers, said he’s mostly worried about flash flooding and mudslides. He said it’s bringing back memories of Tropical Storm Fred. “I’m going to lose a lot of sleep the next few nights,” he said. Tropical Storm Fred sparked…

Hurricane Helene on Thursday strengthened to a Category 2 storm. As of the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Helene was moving northeast at 12 mph and is about 320 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida. Helene is expected to make landfall by 8 p.m. on Thursday along the Florida panhandle as a strong Category 3 or 4 storm. Path of Helene as of Sept. 26, 2024 at 8 a.m. “As it moves over…

Two tornadoes touched down in western North Carolina Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed. A tornado touched down southeast of Asheville in Rutherford County Wednesday evening, the NWS confirmed. This happened at 8:07 p.m., according to the NWS. Another tornado touched down Wednesday night in Watauga County near Blowing Rock. The NWS confirmed that the tornado touched down at 10:35 p.m. WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich shared video sent in by a viewer showing strong…

A tornado may have touched down Wednesday afternoon in Burke County near Blowing Rock. WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich shared video sent in by a viewer showing strong rotation at Chetola Resort, north of Blowing Rock just before 6 p.m. Panovich said he had “very high confidence” that a tornado touched down. The National Weather Service has not confirmed if a tornado formed. Hurricane Helene was not the cause of the tornado; a band of storms…

A possible tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon in Burke County, near Blowing Rock. WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich shared video sent in by a viewer showing strong rotation at Chetola Resort just north of Blowing Rock just before 6 p.m. Panovich said he had “very high confidence” that a tornado touched down. The National Weather Service has not confirmed if a tornado formed. A tornado warning was issued in Watauga County Wednesday night as the storm…

A possible tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon at Blowing Rock as Hurricane Helene moves in. WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich shared video sent in by a viewer showing strong rotation at Chetola Resort just north of Blowing Rock. The National Weather Service has not confirmed if a tornado has touched down. A tornado warning was issued in Watauga County Wednesday night as the storm cell continues hammering the mountains. While Hurricane Helene is still moving in,…

A tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon at Blowing Rock as Hurricane Helene moves in. WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich shared video sent in by a viewer showing strong rotation at Chetola Resort just north of Blowing Rock. A tornado warning was issued in Watauga County Wednesday night as the storm cell continues hammering the mountains. While Hurricane Helene is still moving in, it was not the cause of the tornado as a band of storms is…

Duke Energy is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Helene – and is encouraging others to do the same. Duke Energy said it’s closely monitoring the projected track of Helene, the latest tropical system developing in the Caribbean that’s expected to impact North Carolina later this week. “Our line technicians and tree crews are diligently preparing and will be ready to respond,” Duke Energy said. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, high winds…

Duke Energy is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Helene – and is encouraging others to do the same. Duke Energy said it’s closely monitoring the projected track of Helene, the latest tropical system developing in the Caribbean that’s expected to impact North Carolina later this week. “Our line technicians and tree crews are diligently preparing and will be ready to respond,” Duke Energy said. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, high winds…

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Helene rapidly strengthened in the Caribbean Sea and was expected to become a hurricane Wednesday while moving north along Mexico’s coast toward the U.S., leading residents to evacuate, schools to close, and officials to declare emergencies in Florida and Georgia. The storm is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it passes near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, and to intensify and grow…

The annual IBMA World of Bluegrass festival, set to take over downtown Raleigh, is no stranger to weather-related challenges. Two years ago, organizers were forced to move festivities indoors due to Hurricane Ian’s approach. This year, Tropical Storm Helene is prompting similar preparations for both the festival and other Triangle events. “If there’s anything threatening to the people, they will not run,” Loretta Byrd, Benson Chamber of Commerce said. Loretta Byrd from Benson Chamber of…

Tropical Storm Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea and could strengthen into a major hurricane while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters said. Heavy rains and big waves already lashed the Cayman Islands, and some Florida residents began to evacuate or fill sandbags ahead of anticipated flooding. Helene was expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Wednesday, and it could become a major hurricane before it arrives on Florida’s Gulf Coast as soon as…