Raleigh North Carolina News

As Hurricane Erin continues to move throughout the Atlantic, officials have been preparing for months before the storm even formed. “Our work on the Special Medical Needs Registry starts in May every year,” said Chuck Lycett, Director of Dare County Social Services. “Individuals can sign up at any time in Dare County.” The Social Medical Needs Registry helps with medical care and/or personal care during an evacuation for a hurricane or for those needing assistance…

The threat of rip currents and beach erosion has prompted the closure of some beach access points in North Topsail Beach as Hurricane Erin draws nearer in the Atlantic Ocean. North Topsail Island leaders are monitoring Erin closely, including Town Manager Alice Derian. “We are always concerned,” Derian said. “Erosion is always at the top of our minds. And, what we need to do to keep an eye and monitor and do anything that we can…

Coastal flooding and ocean overwash are likely to peak on Wednesday and Thursday in Dare County due to Hurricane Erin. Some people in the town of Rodanthe have chosen to ignore the evacuation order for Hatteras Island. Photos taken Wednesday morning in Buxton show waves breaching sandbags just after high tide. The sandbags are in place to protect the homes close enough to the water. High tide is expected around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. Drone footage…

Local swiftwater rescue teams are heading to the coast ahead of dangerous rip currents brought on by Hurricane Erin.  Wrightsville Beach lifeguards rescued as many as 15 people on Tuesday as Hurricane Erin moves through the Atlantic Ocean closer to the North Carolina coast. On Monday, lifeguards at Wrightsville Beach reported between 60 to 70 rip current rescues. Rip currents and large waves from Erin prompted coastal towns to issue no-swimming advisories lasting through Friday. The…

A couple is heading back home to Massachusetts after Hurricane Erin forced them to press pause on their Outer Banks wedding plans. Amber Beninati and Lucas Patruno were planning to tie to the knot on Monday in Ocracoke, but an evacuation alert on Sunday night forced them to change their plans. The couple had planned a small ceremony for just six people — the two of them and their four daughters — in Ocracoke, but…

Hurricane Erin has prompted mandatory evacuations in the Outer Banks. Avon, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island and Rodanthe are under mandatory evacuations along with Dare and Hyde counties. More than 1,000 people left the Outer Banks on Monday. Mandatory evacuations for Hurricane Erin Storm surge flooding and tropical storm conditions are expected in the Outer Banks late Wednesday. The Outer Banks could see waves between 15 and 20 feet. Dare County leaders said…

Hurricane Erin is sending some would-be travelers scrambling to cancel their trips to the coast. On Monday, Dare County officials issued evacuations for visitors. Residents were asked to evacuate on Tuesday morning. WRAL’s 5 On Your Side shares what you need to know about canceling your trip during a weather disaster. WRAL’s Keely Arthur said the first thing people should know is that the law is really on the side of the consumer in many…

Hurricane Erin has prompted mandatory evacuations in the Outer Banks. Avon, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island and Rodanthe are under mandatory evacuations along with Dare and Hyde counties. More than 1,000 people left the Outer Banks on Monday. The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for the Outer Banks from the Beaufort Inlet to Duck, including the Pamlico Sound. It means tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area…

Hurricane Erin has prompted mandatory evacuations in the Outer Banks. Avon, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island and Rodanthe are under mandatory evacuations along with Dare and Hyde counties. More than 1,000 people left the Outer Banks on Monday. The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for the Outer Banks from the Beaufort Inlet to Duck, including the Pamlico Sound. It means tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area…

Wrightsville Beach lifeguards rescued as many as 12 people by Tuesday afternoon as Hurricane Erin moves through the Atlantic Ocean closer to the North Carolina coast. Rip currents and large waves from Hurricane Erin prompted the town of Wrightsville Beach to issue a no-swimming advisory for Tuesday through Friday. On Monday, lifeguards at Wrightsville Beach reported between 60 to 70 rip current rescues. The National Hurricane Center said the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda will…

On Monday, visitors were asked to leave Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Residents will join the evacuations on Tuesday. Despite the risks, not everyone is leaving. “It’s all wait and see,” said Rick Shaftan. “You never know what’s going to happen.” Homes and homeowners like Shaftan are waiting to see what Hurricane Erin brings to a town that’s become famous as the Atlantic swallows it up, bit by bit. Last year alone, six homes were demolished…

Hurricane Erin is growing larger, and its expected impact is starting to stretch far beyond its footprint. A tropical storm watch was in effect Monday for the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and officials there ordered the evacuation of some coastal areas amid concerns that bands from the storm’s outer edges could lead to heavy rain and strong winds by Wednesday. And nearly the entire east coast of the United States was at risk for…

Hurricane Erin forced tourists to cut their vacations short on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, even though the monster storm is expected to stay offshore after lashing part of the Caribbean with rain and wind on Monday. Evacuations were ordered on a couple of barrier islands along the Carolina shore as authorities warned the storm could churn up dangerous rip currents and swamp roads with waves of 15 feet (4.6 meters). Tropical storm and surge watches…

With the constant heavy rain and downpours over the past few weeks, flash flooding has become a recurring problem for people in the area. On Thursday, WRAL News was on the scene of Avent Ferry Road in Raleigh, where multiple drivers were seen attempting to push through flood waters during nighttime showers and storms. Preston Ross is the founder of a Raleigh nonprofit and told WRAL News that trash and debris on top of heavy…

The Paperhand Puppet Project debuted its show, The Gift, just over a month after its studio in Saxapahaw flooded during Tropical Storm Chantal. Executive Director Donovan Zimmerman said the theatre is facing more than $100,000 in losses, including some of the puppets used in performances. The studio is the space the crew used to create their puppets and store their equipment, much of which was destroyed in the floods. “Waters rose and came into our…