Raleigh North Carolina News

By The Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Six people were killed Saturday when a tornado swept through central Iowa, damaging buildings and knocking down trees and power lines, authorities said. Emergency management officials in Madison County said six people died and four were injured when the tornado touch down in the area southwest of Des Moines at about 4:30 p.m. Among those killed were children and adults. Madison County Emergency Management Director Diogenes Ayala…

By Aimee Wilmoth Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 6 to 12 here in North Carolina, and the WRAL Severe Weather Center has everything you need to know to keep you and your family safe! The most active severe weather in North Carolina occurs during the months of March, April and May. Now is a perfect time to go over your safety plans with your family as we approach the active storm season. There will…

By The Associated Press LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s death toll from devastating tornadoes in December has risen as Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday announced the deaths of a woman and her infant. Beshear said during a news briefing that the 33-year-old Mayfield woman had been in the hospital for a significant period and died of her injuries. Her unborn child was delivered and died after six days in December, the governor said. “To their family,…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — With temperatures in the 20s, Tuesday will be another frigid morning, but temperatures will warm into the low to mid 50s by the afternoon. Although it is days away, the National Weather Service has issued a Level 1 severe weather threat for much of central North Carolina on Thursday night. At 5:30 a.m., it was 25 degrees in Raleigh, but the wind chill was making it feel…

By WANJOHI KABUKURU, Associated Press MOMBASA, Kenya — Even as southern African nations assess the devastation caused earlier this month by Cyclone Batsirai, a new tropical storm is approaching as the Indian Ocean region is confronted by an intense cyclone season. Tropical Storm Dumako is projected to slam into the northeastern coast of Madagascar Tuesday evening, according to the U.N.’s regional meteorology center in Reunion. Dumako, the fourth storm this year, is forecast to make…

SAN GERONIMO, Calif. — On a foggy morning near San Geronimo, a small mountain community 20 minutes west of Fairfax in Marin County, Silvio Justo, a Peruvian herder, unrolls temporary electric fencing he places around herds of sheep and goats rapidly devouring acres of wild grass surrounding a hilltop home. The livestock belong to Star Creek Land Stewards. The Los Banos-based company was hired by a local homeowner to clear the brush surrounding the home…

By DÉBORA ÁLVARES, Associated Press BRASILIA, Brazil — Landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains killed at least 19 people in Brazil’s most populous state Sunday while high waters forced some 500,000 families from their homes over the weekend, authorities said. Three people from the same family died when a landslide destroyed their house in the city of Embu das Artes, according to the municipal government, while four other people were rescued by firemen. Four…

WRAL’s Erin Simanskis, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver last week, was a native Canadian and huge fan of the Carolina Hurricanes. Team General Manager Don Waddell joined Erin’s family and work friends in remembering her. Show Transcript WE WILL HAVE THOSE STORIES AND MORE AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR. >>> YOU MAY NOTICE WE ARE WEARING RED AND BLACK TONIGHT. THAT’S AN HONOR OF WRAL EMPLOYEE ERIN SIMANSKIS. >> SHE DIED THIS…

By GREGORY GONDWE, Associated Press BLANTYRE, Malawi — Tropical storm Ana has caused widespread flooding, power outages and killed at least one person in Malawi, officials said Tuesday. Cutting path of wet destruction across southern Africa, the storm has blown from the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, across Mozambique and into Malawi. In Madagascar the storm and earlier rains are blamed for 34 deaths and making an estimated 55,000 people homeless. The Zambezi River area…

By Michelle Mackonochie, WRAL anchor/reporter When preparing for a winter storm – there are many things that cross your mind – including if you and your family have enough food. And for those less fortunate even more so. But that’s where our food banks and food delivery services come in. Much of central North Carolina saw snow and ice over the weekend – meaning a lot of people were stuck at home – Some wondering…

By The Associated Press BIG SUR, Calif. — Firefighters on Saturday were battling a wildfire that broke out in the rugged mountains along Big Sur, forcing hundreds of residents on this precarious stretch of the California coast to evacuate and authorities to shut its main roadway. The fire started Friday night in a steep canyon and quickly spread toward the sea, fanned by strong winds up to 50 mph (80 kph). The blaze burned at…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — WRAL’s team of meteorologists is tracking the most significant winter storm to impact the Triangle in over three years. What to know: Rain falling across the area Thursday afternoon could turn into a wintry mix north of the Triangle around sunset. Light snow accumulation will be possible Thursday night along the North Carolina-Virginia line. Temperatures will dip into the 20s Thursday night and Friday, and roads will…

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — While January is typically a slow month for body shops, Ingold Tire in Durham has been busy with drivers during the past couple of days. “People realizing that their tires don’t have good tread, and they’re coming in to replace their tires to get better traction. We’ve had lots of folks coming in for air pressure checks. The cold weather causes tires to lose air through their sidewall,” said owner Rod…

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Facing the possibility of severe weather this weekend, shelter and emergency officials are preparing in the event their services are needed. “The main thing we’re doing is trying to reach out into the community, trying to find any homeless who haven’t come in from the weather yet,” said Rob Tart, the CEO and President of the Durham Rescue Mission. Tart said they are less concerned about the drop in temperatures and…

By THOMAS PEIPERT and MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press DENVER — A late-season wildfire pushed by hurricane-force winds tore through two densely populated Denver suburbs and seemed destined to leave a trail of deaths. Yet, only two people are unaccounted for out of some 35,000 forced from their homes. It’s a remarkably low number of possible casualties, according to disaster experts and authorities, all the more so because a public alert system did not reach everyone…