Raleigh North Carolina News

This year’s Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet so far, with just four storms becoming strong enough to merit names, and none strong enough to be hurricanes. But that may be about to change. Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an update Thursday to their seasonal hurricane forecast, with a very slight adjustment down from their initial estimates in May. They said that the forecast remains on track for an above-average…

Mary McKinney has lived near Smoky Hollow for about five years. She said that Monday night was the first time she’d seen any significant flooding in the area. “I had never seen anything like it,” she said. A series of videos sent to WRAL News show flooded streets in several areas in downtown Raleigh and across the Triangle, including in Smoky Hollow. WRAL News viewers are asking questions about whether new development in the area…

Tropical Storm Erin formed Monday in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, just west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Erin was about 280 miles (451 kilometers) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph), the NHC said. It was moving west at about 20 mph (32 kph). The National Hurricane Center expects Erin to remain tropical storm through the early portion of the week, intensifying into a hurricane by…

The State Department of Transportation received national recognition. On Saturday, the department announced in a post on Facebook it was awarded Best Project and Best Overall Winner for its effective coordination during Helene at the National Operations Center of Excellence Awards. The department was also recognized for using its advanced flood-warning system to position crews and provided critical safety information on DriveNC.gov.

When heavy rain hit the Town of Spring Hope this week, Mike Gordon said floodwaters cut off the only entrance into his Walnut Cove housing development. “We were all stuck. We could not get out. This past time was the worst one,” said Gordon.  The Spring Hope resident of two years blames poor grading and clogged storm drains in his new subdivision for yard erosion and added runoff.  “They kind of just threw the houses…

People living and working in Durham’s Cornwallis Road Community, which is run by Durham Housing Authority, say sinkholes and flooding in the area have become a major hazard.  Cars are forced to park in the street due to flooding in the parking lots. There are over 9 reported sinkholes, the largest nearly the size of a football field. Residents told WRAL News that rain similar to what central North Carolina experienced on Wednesday and Thursday…

During Wednesday’s severe weather, several roads in Wake County flooded, creating issues for the evening commute. Olive Chapel Rd in Apex flooded, and the street collapsed under the weight of the water, creating a sinkhole. According to NCDOT, the road will be closed until November. People living near the sinkhole tell WRAL this is the worst flooding that they have seen, even worse than Hurricane Helene and tropical depression Chantal.  “ It’s fairly common when…

Jayden Martin remembers the storm well. The Person County student was home, on the property he shares with his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, when Chantal rolled through in early July. “It was tough,” Martin said.  Chantal brought torrential rain, and high winds. Flash flooding blocked the family’s driveway, cutting them off from the outside world. When those waters finally receded, Martin found a maze of washouts on roads in nearly every direction.   A month…

Reports of fallen trees and crashes accompanied heavy rain falling across the Triangle on Wednesday, a WRAL Weather Alert Day. Much of the area is under a flood watch all day. Live updates 8:50 a.m.: Traffic is at a standstill on Interstate 40 East in Raleigh after a crash near Exit 299 for Hammond Road. One person was transported to a hospital. The crash has since cleared. 8:30 a.m.: The Durham Police Department posted photos…

One of the Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest stars spent the day helping thousands of kids skate into a new school year. On Saturday, the ‘Canes defenseman Jaccob Slavin joined thousands of kids and their families outside Raleigh’s New Hope Baptist Church for a good cause. “This event itself is special just because it’s serving the community,” Slavin said. Thousands of kids getting a leg up on the new school year with items like rulers, notebooks, and…

A charter school in Hillsborough destroyed by flooding from Chantal has temporarily relocated for the upcoming school year. On Saturday, volunteers gathered at The Expedition School to help move the school into an event space nearby at the Cloth Mill at Eno River Mill. It comes after the record-breaking crest of the Eno River made a mess of the school. WRAL News previously reported 98% of what was inside the building was a total loss….

As North Carolina cleans up its own flood damage, several state agencies are in Texas to assist with the search for missing people who disappeared during historic flooding in the state. Among those heading to Texas is the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which concluded its first day on the ground on Monday. Texas saw historic levels of flooding in Kerr County in July, and more than 100 people died in the flooding, some…

Cleanup efforts continue around the area after Tropical Depression Chantal brought flooding and damaging winds to parks and recreation areas. Phased re-openings will start Monday with the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area in Hillsborough. “We’re excited,” said Brian Strong, director of North Carolina State Parks. “Our staff have been working incredibly hard to get people back out to the parks.” With temperatures reaching triple digits this weekend and more intense heat to start the week,…

The sun was setting in a cloudless sky when salt water crept across Canal Drive, pooling over storm drains and glinting beneath mailboxes. No hurricane. No nor’easter. Just an ordinary high tide riding on a higher sea. On days like this, parts of Carolina Beach can feel stranded. Researchers told the town council this week that salt water reached its streets on more than 60 days over the past year. Down East, some communities now…

A North Carolina couple told WRAL News their reservation was canceled at a local hotel because they are Durham residents. Gwendolyn and Ira Montague live in north Durham, and their home of 50 years was severely damaged in flooding from Chantal. The retired couple stayed at a nearby Holiday Inn for a couple of nights, before making an online reservation to stay at the Candlewood Suites on North Carolina Highway 54.  Gwendolyn Montague told WRAL News…