Wilmington North Carolina News

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Volunteers planting trees at Thomas B. Lilly Park in Wilmington on Sept. 20, 2019. (Photo: WWAY) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Last year, Hurricane Florence destroyed many trees in the Thomas B. Lilly Park in Wilmington. However, volunteers came out to fix that! Alliance for Cape Fear Trees Chair Connie Parker says volunteers planted 17 trees along Burnt Mill Creek. – Advertisement – She says several residents, members…

The National Weather Service in Wilmington came into possession of this photo taken in McClellanville nine months after Hugo. (Photo: NWS) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — From evacuating hundreds of thousands of people from the coast to live TV coverage in the shrieking wind and rain, 1989’s Hurricane Hugo might have been the first U.S. storm of the modern age. When it slammed into South Carolina just minutes before midnight on Sept. 21, 1989, Hugo’s 135 mph…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter The inside of a family home after Hurricane Florence (Photo By: Lakeeda Johnson) NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)– We’ve been talking about the anniversary of several hurricanes lately, and a year ago it was Hurricane Florence. One family is almost ready to return to their damaged home, and their journey back has been difficult. – Advertisement – William O’Brien says he and his family have lived on their Pender County…

The Cape Fear River floods the Battleship North Carolina parking on Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo: Monique Robinson/WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Clean Water Management Trust Fund has awarded Battleship North Carolina a grant of up to $400,000 to address flooding using nature-based infrastructure. According to a news release, grant funds will be for the Living with Water project, which aims to restore more than 800 feet of shoreline and 2 acres of wetlands to…

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Canceled last year following one of the worst hurricanes in state history, North Carolina Surf to Sound Challenge rebounds in Wrightsville Beach this fall. “Hurricane Florence was a direct hit at Wrightsville Beach with over $20-billion in damages in our state,” said Mark Schmidt, Race Director. “Wrightsville is back, stronger than ever, and we are glad to welcome back the paddling community for the 9th annual Surf to Sound Challenge….

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One year ago, our area was hit hard by Hurricane Florence. New Hanover Regional Medical Center was one place that sustained damage during it and now we are learning just how much it cost. A spokesman says the hospital has an estimated $18-million in structural damage. – Advertisement – He says some of the facilities were affected by roof leaks because of the storm. The…

Hurricane Humberto strengthened into a Category 2 storm on Tuesday morning, but it should not bring severe weather to North Carolina.

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Frying Pan Tower flag blowing during Hurricane Dorian. (Photo: Explore.org) OCRACOKE, NC (WWAY) — The flag that was flown at the Frying Pan Tower during Hurricane Dorian is being sold on eBay. The funds raised by Old Glory “Steve” will help the residents in Ocracoke who were impacted by the storm. – Advertisement – All of the funds from the auction will be used to help those who impacted….

By Ashley Morris StarNews Staff Saturday Sep 14, 2019 at 3:09 PM Sep 14, 2019 at 4:29 PM But system expected to bring dangerous rip currents to N.C. coast SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Wilmington-area residents can breathe a sigh of relief as a tropical storm currently off the Florida coast looks like it will spin out to see and not stop by for a coastal Carolina visit. The Carolinas are now out of the cone of uncertainty in the storm’s projection as Tropical Storm Humberto is…

By Ashley Morris StarNews Staff Saturday Sep 14, 2019 at 3:09 PM Meteorologists say to expect strong rip currents for the next few days. Wilmington-area residents can breathe a sigh of relief this hurricane season as a tropical storm off the coast looks like it will spin out to see and not stop by for a coastal Carolina visit. Tropical Storm Humberto was 120 miles off the coast of Grand Bahama Island and moving northwest at 7 mph. Meteorologists from…

Debris from Hurricane Dorian is seen in Elbow Cay, which is just off Abaco in the Bahamas, Sept. 2, 2019. (Photo: Josh Terrells / ABC) FREEPORT, Bahamas (AP) — Officials temporarily suspended aid efforts and closed a couple of small airports in the Bahamas on Saturday as Tropical Storm Humberto threatened to lash the archipelago’s northwest region that was already hit by Hurricane Dorian two weeks ago. Humberto’s arrival coincides with a weekend visit to…

Powerful storms can’t be stopped from impacting Eastern N.C., but officials say there are steps that can be taken to better prepare for them — especially in the era of climate change SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — When Hurricane Florence was still offshore and it’s final landing spot in Eastern North Carolina still unknown, Wilmington officials hunkered down like everyone else to await the storm’s arrival. But there was a problem. The hurricane was a Category 4…

Alton Lennon Drive still needs repairs after it washed out during Florence. (Photo: Kylie Jones/WWAY) BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WWAY) — It’s been one year since Hurricane Florence devastated southeastern North Carolina. “The lakes are part of the city. I mean it’s called Boiling Spring Lakes,” resident Rob Warner said. “I really hope that they get working on the dam.” – Advertisement – Some things look just the way Hurricane Florence left them. One year…

(Photo: WWAY) BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Last year the Pender patriots went 1-10 after a season interrupted by Hurricane Florence. They’re hoping to improve this year under the leadership of some strong senior players. One of those seniors suffered more damage than most during Florence, but he knew who to turn to when he needed a band of brothers. – Advertisement – Watching how tough Senior Trey Swinson is on the field, you’d never know…

Pender County Courthouse in Burgaw (Photo: WWAY) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It’s been a year since the Pender County Courthouse closed its doors after Hurricane Florence hit. From the outside the building looks okay, but inside the building tells a different story. Assistant County Manager Chad McEwen says the courthouse remains closed a year after the storm due to the extensive damage. – Advertisement – “People ride by that building and why is that…

With lots of jobs and money at stake, region looks to bounce back after national media portrayed a community devastated by the hurricane WILMINGTON — In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Florence as Southeastern North Carolina waded through the debris and harsh realities of the storm-wrought devastation, it was also burdened with an image problem. As the hurricane bore down last September, the area was swarmed by national news cameras, each staking their claim on…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Classroom (Photo: Fbot / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Dorian left students out of school for days earlier this month and Pender County Schools has announced when they will have to make up that class time. According to the district, October 28 is now a make-up day for traditional schools. – Advertisement – Penderlea School students will now use October 23 as a…

Many college students in the Triangle are from the Bahamas and still have family and friends there. That includes a number of students at St. Augustine’s University.

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Hurricane Floyd caused massive flooding around North Carolina in 1999 WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — We’ve been talking a lot about hurricanes Dorian and Florence, but 20 years ago the big story was Hurricane Floyd. This weekend there is an event at the Cape Fear Museum called “Remembering Hurricane Floyd” about the day that storm made landfall in the Cape Fear. – Advertisement – WWAY Chief Meteorologist Lee Haywood will…

The hurricane destroyed thousands of trees and flooded huge areas; the recovery could take years WILMINGTON — A year later, Cape Fear Riverkeeper Kemp Burdette still finds it helpful to explain the environmental impact of Hurricane Florence using satellite images taken in the days following the historic storm that dumped more than 25 inches of rain on Southeastern North Carolina. From his office at the Cape Fear River Watch in downtown Wilmington, he scrolls through…

The Triangle is under a level 1 risk for severe weather Thursday, with damaging winds, heavy rain and small hail possible.

Nearly a year after the storm brought historic rains and flooding to Southeastern N.C., the region is still healing BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Nearly a year after Hurricane Florence slammed ashore at Wrightsville Beach and proceeded to stall over Southeastern North Carolina, the big lake at Boiling Spring Lakes remains a city landmark in name only. Waist-high weeds are everywhere, while a small ribbon of water carves a path through the middle of the empty lake bed….

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Damage to I-40 over Gordon Road after Hurricane Florence. (Sept. 15, 2018) RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina will get some much-needed money to help with mounting repair costs the state has incurred in response to devastating hurricanes and other storms. The Federal Highway Administration said in a statement Tuesday that North Carolina would get $51 million for the cost of repairing roads and bridges. – Advertisement – Most…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Michael Jordan visited the Lowe’s Home Improvement on South College Road on Nov. 20, 2018, to distribute meals to families impacted by the storm. (Photo: Tanner Barth/WWAY) CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — Hornets owner and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan is pledging $1 million to organizations assisting with Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas. Jordan said in a statement Tuesday on Twitter through his spokeswoman Estee Portnoy that he’s…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Pender County officials say several archived court documents were damaged by water during Hurricane Dorian. According to the Clerk of Court, water seeped into a building the courthouse is leasing after water damaged the courthouse in Hurricane Florence. – Advertisement – The damaged documents will be be cryo-dried and taken back to a lab to be restored. SHARE Facebook Twitter

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Brunswick County Disaster Information Session held at Johnson Chapel (Photo: WWAY/ Kevin Dumas) LELAND, NC (WWAY)– Dozens came out Monday night in Brunswick County to learn more about how to get help with hurricanes. The North Carolina Office of Recover & Resiliency held a disaster information session at Johnson Chapel in Leland. – Advertisement – Multiple organizations were on hand to inform community members about available aid to help…

A contractor was cutting down trees in this backyard when he was injured by his chainsaw. (Photo: Kylie Jones/WWAY) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A chainsaw accident turned deadly over the weekend when a contractor was cut in the neck while cutting down trees. The contractor had been hired to remove storm debris from Hurricane Dorian when the accident happened at a home on North Kerr Avenue. – Advertisement – The job ended ended in…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Hurricane Dorian Satellite Imagery (Photo: NOAA) RALEIGH, NC (WCTI) — North Carolina’s Historic Preservation Office has set up an online forum so local governments and residents can report damage to historic properties caused by Hurricane Dorian. The office wants information about wind and flooding to historic structures, cemeteries and state highway historical markers. – Advertisement – For more information, click here. SHARE Facebook Twitter

President Donald Trump headed to eastern North Carolina on Monday but wasn’t able to see damage from Hurricane Dorian firsthand because of rainy weather.

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Dorian caused operational issues at the recycling processing facility used by Pender County Solid Waste. This will impact recycling at Pender County’s convenience sites. “Though we will have emptied the bins this week at most of our convenience centers, we will have limited capacity to hold recycling materials,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities director. “We ask that the public hold on to their…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Tidal flooding on Water Street on Sept. 5, 2019. (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Dorian has claimed at least one business in Wilmington. In a Facebook post, Marsello’s announced it is closing because of damage from the storm. – Advertisement – Owners say it was a difficult decision, but didn’t elaborate on the damage that led to the closing. On the restaurant’s website, they started renovations back…

Carolina Shores residents picking up pieces after Hurricane Dorian-spawned tornado CAROLINA SHORES — In the early morning hours Thursday, phones across Brunswick County began lighting up with tornado warnings. They came in rapid-fire, from Myrtle Beach and Leland, Oak Island and Southport as the outer bands of Hurricane Dorian reached the region. The Hess family started hunkering down in their home on Slippery Rock Way in The Farm at Brunswick neighborhood near the North Carolina-South…

“I wanted to get a metal detector and especially after the hurricane and see if there’s anything, any history or artifacts that kind of washed up on the shore,” Lattin said. “We actually just got lucky with no equipment, just spending a day at the beach.” Read more here.

GateHouse Media Monday Sep 9, 2019 at 2:31 PM Sep 9, 2019 at 3:00 PM President Donald Trump will be in eastern North Carolina today, less than a week after Hurricane Dorian caused widespread damage in coastal areas. According to information from multiple offices, Gov. Roy Cooper will be joining the president in touring the damage. Trump will continue on to Fayetteville for a 7 p.m. rally. Voters in several North Carolina counties will head to the polls Tuesday to decide who will fill two vacant…

President Donald Trump’s visit to Fayetteville on Monday has been relocated to the Crown Expo Center.

With the exception of tornadoes, Hurricane Dorian caused minor damage in Southeastern N.C. WILMINGTON — Ricsy Castro waved to friends outside of Galloway Hall Sunday as they rolled suitcases back into the dorm. After having to evacuate campus due to Hurricane Dorian, University of North Carolina Wilmington students were able to move back in Sunday. For Castro, evacuating meant an hour-and-a-half drive home. While her family’s house lost power during Dorian, the storm spared it…

Voluneers packed food for the homeless on September 7, 2019 (Photo By: Lakeeda Johnson) NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)– The non-profit organization, Vigilant Hope constantly looks for ways to reach out to people in under served areas. Volunteers fed more than two hundred people breakfast and lunch. – Advertisement – Urban Missionary, Laura Bullock says the organization feeds people on Greenfield Street in Wilmington every Saturday. She says they feed the homeless and those who deal…

Hurricane Dorian racing toward Nova Scotia (Photo: ABC News) (ABC NEWS)– Hurricane Dorian is making its way for Nova Scotia, Canada, with dangerous storm surge and strong winds, after lashing the Massachusetts coast during its northward path. Tropical storm conditions had spread throughout the southwestern portions of the Canadian province by Saturday afternoon, with winds of 100 mph. Strong winds and heavy rain are expected later Saturday, with Dorian on track to make landfall in the…

Donald Trump (Photo: The White House / Flickr) WASHINGTON (AP) — Former top officials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are assailing the agency for undermining its weather forecasters as it defends President Donald Trump’s statement from days ago that Hurricane Dorian threatened Alabama. They say NOAA’s action risks the credibility of the nation’s weather and science agency and may even risk lives. – Advertisement – The critics served both Republican and Democratic presidents….

New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon discusses Hurricane Dorian response. (Photo: Matt Bennett/WWAY) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) —  The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office gave an update today about its response to Hurricane Dorian, and the lessons learned from Hurricane Florence. On Friday morning, they had crews out responding to calls and removing trees which were blocking roadways. – Advertisement – The Sheriff’s Office has its own emergency operations command post, similar to the county,…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Governor Cooper visits a church helping those affected by Hurricane Dorian. (Photo: Matt Bennett/WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper was in the Cape Fear today visiting the New Hanover County Emergency Operations Center, and a Wilmington church providing food to those in need. While acknowledging that northeastern North Carolina was still dealing with the effects of Dorian, Governor Cooper said he was proud of southeastern North Carolina for…

Now that Hurricane Dorian’s winds and rain are leaving our state, we can now look forward to what’s shaping up to be a great weekend.

Damage from a reported tornado at The Farm at Brunswick on Sept. 5, 2019 (Photo: WTVD) CAROLINA SHORES, NC (WWAY) — “Next thing I know, I hear the freight train. It probably lasted about five seconds, but we heard a big ‘bam!’ and it blew out one of our back windows.” John Sperry says that’s what it sounded like when a tornado barreled through The Farm at Brunswick on Thursday morning. – Advertisement – “I have…

Power outages from Hurricane Dorian now below 3,200; trash pickup resumes Saturday For a recap of Thursday’s news, click here. 3:40 p.m. update: Storm resurfaces memories of Hurricane Florence Brunswick County Sheriff’s detectives Philip Horne and Kasey Leonard drove around to assess the damage of Hurricane Dorian on Friday morning. The pair, who also serve as Swift Water Rescue responders, were also partnered up after Florence. They through areas they remembered were impassable the year…

Power outages from Hurricane Dorian now below 3,200; trash pickup resumes Saturday For a recap of Thursday’s news, click here. 2:30 p.m. update: Family recounts tornado experience Shane Hardee was brushing his teeth Thursday morning while his 11-year-old daughter, Briana, was making pancakes. That’s when Karen Hardee screamed to her family: “Get in the closet.” She could see the funnel cloud approaching the Carolina Shores house through a window in her living room. They immediately hunkered down…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Photo: NHRMC PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A big congratulations are in order for a couple in Pender County. They welcomed a baby boy in the early morning hours while Hurricane Dorian was coming through the area. Ivey and Katie English of Burgaw welcomed their son Hiram at 5:11 a.m. Friday morning at Pender Memorial Hospital. – Advertisement – Hiram was 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 1/2 inches…

Hurricane Dorian made landfall over Cape Hatteras on Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.