Raleigh North Carolina News

Thursday, July 20, 2023 5:39PM ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) — The EF-3 tornado that touched down Wednesday came with a warning for some, but not 10 men out at Belmont Lake Golf Course. “I was scared… all of us were scared,” said Pat Smith. The group left their phones in their cars and in a matter of minutes, everything changed. They jumped in the golf cart and searched for shelter. “And that tree fell in…

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — People are picking up the pieces after a violent tornado ripped through Nash and Edgecombe counties Wednesday, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Just before 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a tornado touched down north of Rocky Mount, near the Battleboro and Dortches communities. Dozens of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, including the Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount. There are now 16 confirmed injuries — 13 in Nash…

Weather Many people who were in the path of this storm are working through the shock of seeing their homes and businesses destroyed. Crews are working on cleaning up the destruction left behind by the tornado that hit north of Rocky Mount on Wednesday.

Thursday, July 20, 2023 11:19AM RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — There is a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) of severe thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening. The main threat is damaging wind. Downpours and small hail will also be possible. Storm coverage is leaning a bit more spotty in our area through the day. But, any storms that develop could be strong to severe. Friday brings a break from the severe weather threat. Highs will be…

Thursday, July 20, 2023 2:13AM RED OAK, N.C. (WTVD) — The American Red Cross opened a shelter to families and individuals whose homes were hit by an EF-3 tornado Wednesday. Many people in Nash and Edgecombe counties are still without power after an EF-3 tornado tore through homes and city buildings. The American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter at Red Oak Baptist Church, 5515 Red Oak Road in Red Oak to aid…

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 11:24PM DORTCHES, N.C. (WTVD) — A couple in a mobile home survived a frightening few moments when the EF-3 tornado that roared through Nash County destroyed their home, leaving nothing standing but the front-porch stairs. It happened in a community off N. Halifax Road. The home that Mike Poythress purchased new, just last year, was ripped off the foundation by the howling winds and deposited nearby, leaving appliances, furniture, and vinyl…

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 9:46PM ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) — A tornado heavily damaged a large Pfizer pharmaceutical plant in North Carolina on Wednesday, scattering medicine and other debris around the complex. Pfizer said its large complex in Rocky Mount was damaged by a twister that tore through Nash County. “We are assessing the situation to determine the impact on production,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with our colleagues, our patients, and the community…

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 9:37PM ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) — A tornado heavily damaged a large Pfizer pharmaceutical plant in North Carolina on Wednesday, scattering medicine and other debris around the complex. Pfizer said its large complex in Rocky Mount was damaged by a twister that tore through Nash County. the Rocky Mount area “We are assessing the situation to determine the impact on production,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with our colleagues, our…

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 5:51PM RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A tornado touched down in Nash County on Wednesday afternoon, causing damage and closing down a stretch of Interstate 95. Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone urged people to avoid the area. He confirmed that trees were down, houses were damaged and power had been knocked out in the areas between Castalia, Whitakers and Leggett. All lanes of I-95 were closed near Rocky Mount between Exits 138…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Parts of central North Carolina could experience some severe weather on Wednesday and Thursday. ABC11 Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on things as there’s a small possibility of isolated showers and storms as early as overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Storm activity could be more widespread Wednesday afternoon or evening with showers and thunderstorms. The rain will also help reduce smoke impacts from the Canadian wildfires that prompted a Code…

RALEIGH, N.C. — Much of central North Carolina woke up to a hazy Tuesday morning – with Code Orange air quality alerts for the Triangle, but Code Red air quality impacting nearby parts of the state. This year so far we’ve had about ten days with a Code Orange or higher – a result of the massive wildfires in Canada. This has been a problem for weeks with the smoke from the fires sweeping across…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The air quality in central North Carolina is expected to be suboptimal Tuesday. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert is in effect for nearly all of the ABC11 viewing area. The air quality will be lessened due to ongoing wildfires in Canada. The same problem caused a rare Code Red last month. The wildfires continue to burn causing problems for large portions of the United States. Extensive swaths of the northern…

CHICAGO — CHICAGO (AP) — For Chicagoans planning a lengthy outdoor run Monday, “today is not necessarily the day for that,” according to Kim Biggs of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Extensive swaths of the northern United States awoke to unhealthy air quality Monday morning or were experiencing it by midafternoon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov Smoke and Fire map. Fine particle pollution caused by smoke from Canada’s wildfires is causing a red…