Wilmington North Carolina News

6 minutes ago Tropical Storm Ophelia. Photo: MGN ANNAPOLIS, MD (AP) — Residents in coastal North Carolina and Virginia braced for potential flooding after Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near a North Carolina barrier island on Saturday morning, bringing rain, damaging winds and dangerous surges of water. The storm came ashore near Emerald Isle with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph (113 kph) at around 6:15 a.m. but was expected to weaken as moves north Saturday…

11 minutes ago Wrightsville Beach during Tropical Storm Idalia WWAY NEWSWrightsville Beach during Tropical Storm Idalia WWAY NEWS WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Wrightsville Beach is no stranger to heavy rain and winds from tropical storms. With Ophelia expected to make landfall late Friday tonight, people are riding out the storm in different ways. Jerry Ryan is a visitor from Maryland. He’s enjoying some comfort food and just letting the storm just happen. “Eat here,…

7 minutes ago PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Ahead of Ophelia’s arrival, Gov. Roy Cooper signed a state of emergency which will help provide for swift response and recovery after the system passes.  Pender County is also prepping beforehand.  We went to Hampstead Friday afternoon to find out how emergency services in the area are getting ready.   We spoke with Emergency Management Director, Tommy Batson, he’s confident he and his team are prepared to weather the…

6 minutes ago Tropical Storm (Photo: NASA/MGN Online) RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper has signed a State of Emergency in preparation for impacts from Tropical Storm Ophelia. “It is important for North Carolinians to prepare for potential impacts from the coming storm,” said Governor Cooper. “The storm’s path has been difficult to predict and we want to ensure that farmers, first responders and utility crews have the tools necessary to prepare for severe weather.”…

7 minutes ago Places like Sunset Beach saw moderate structural damage on the beaches to boardwalks, as well as dune erosion, but were able to conduct repairs quickly following the storm. (WWAY) SOUTHEASTERN, NC (WWAY)– One year ago, residents on the southwest coast of Florida were preparing for one of the strongest storms in the state’s history.   Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a category 4 hurricane, before making a second landfall near…

5 minutes ago Tropical Storm Ophelia has formed off the Cape Fear coast (Photo: NOAA) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After days of attempted organization, Tropical Storm Ophelia has formed off the Cape Fear coast. Ophelia has sustained winds of 60 mph and is moving NNW at 12 mph, as of the 2:00 p.m. advisory. Landfall is expected along the North Carolina coast north of our area on Saturday morning. While the Cape Fear won’t receive…

6 minutes ago (Photo: WWAY) MIAMI (AP) — A storm moving closer to the U.S. East Coast will deliver tropical storm conditions to North Carolina on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm was off the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina early Friday with top sustained winds of 50 mph. A storm surge watch was in effect, with surges between 3 and 5 feet forecast for parts of North Carolina, the center…

10 minutes ago Two Cape Fear counties are under a Tropical Storm Warning (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for parts of the Cape Fear. New Hanover County and Pender County received the warning Thursday morning, as tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere in the area within the next 36 hours. While full tropical development isn’t likely, a subtropical storm is possible as the system pushes up the…

11 minutes ago Severe Weather (Photo: MGN) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington National Weather Service has released its updated severe weather climatology report. Counties included in the report include Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Pender and Robeson in North Carolina, and Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg in South Carolina. Between 1991 and 2021 there were 5,265 reports of severe weather across the area covered by the National Weather Service forecast…

11 minutes ago SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) –Tropical Storm Idalia left Four Paws Veterinary Hospital without a building to use after the storm ripped off part of its roof. The hospital thought they would be out of luck, or that’s what they thought until a little divine intervention. “So, they actually reached out to us, they have two classrooms in the back of the building that they don’t use during the week. So, they allowed us…

6 minutes ago COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Five years following Hurricane Florence, we spoke with a Whiteville City official who shared his memories of the unforgiving storm.  “We were hoping for a fast-moving storm. But it was a slow-moving storm and it devastated our community and other communities in Columbus County. A devastation that we hadn’t seen in a long time,” Emergency Services Director, Hal Lowder, said.  The historic storm dumped nearly 23 inches…

September 14, 2023 WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — 5 years ago today, the Cape Fear experienced major impacts and damage from Hurricane Florence. New Hanover County was one of the hardest hit areas as the Category 1 hurricane made landfall near Wrightsville Beach and years later, there are still people trying to recover. Hurricane Florence caused an estimated $24 billion in damage, making it the 9th most destructive hurricane in U.S. history. Over the past 5…

12 minutes ago The NCDOT is in the running for two prizes for their flood warning system (Photo: NCDOT) RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The N.C. Department of Transportation’s nationally recognized advance flood warning system is in the running for two top prizes, and the state agency needs the public’s help to win one of the accolades. The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials is recognizing the flood warning system as a “Top 12” finalist in…

10 seconds ago Dangerous rip current conditions are present along the coast (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Lee poses no direct threat to the Cape Fear, but it’s causing dangerous conditions along coast. Lee will pass by hundreds of miles offshore over the next day, but swell from the storm is generating waves upwards of six feet and numerous rip currents. There are currently rip current statements, high surf advisories and beach hazard…

12 minutes ago BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WWAY) — Thursday marks five years since Hurricane Florence rocked the Cape Fear Region and half a decade later several communities are still recovering. The hurricane destroyed all four dams in Boiling Spring Lakes. After working to secure funding for three years, crews officially broke ground on the reconstruction project in July. Jeff Winecoff, mayor of Boiling Spring Lakes, says it’s been a long time coming and seeing…

6 minutes ago Hurricane Lee latest forecast cone (Photo: NHC) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Major Hurricane Lee is forecast to miss the Cape Fear but the coast will still see impacts. As Lee turns to the north in the coming days, it is forecast to weaken but remain a hurricane as it moves between the Carolinas and Bermuda. Despite being hundreds of miles out in the ocean, Lee will send swell-generated waves of six to…

6 minutes ago Hurricane Lee on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: National Hurricane Center SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Large swells battered the northeast Caribbean on Saturday as Hurricane Lee churned nearby through open waters as a Category 3 storm. The storm, which is not forecast to make landfall, was located about 350 miles (565 kilometers) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. It had winds of up to 115 mph (185 kph) and was moving…

6 minutes ago Maui Wildfire Aftermath, Photo Date: 08/09/2023 HONOLULU (AP) — One month after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century leveled the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Friday that the number of missing has dropped to 66, the confirmed death toll remains at 115 and authorities will soon escort residents on visits to their property. Tens of millions of dollars in aid will make its way to families and…

(CNN) —Hurricane Lee is expected to continue strengthening Friday after quickly morphing into a powerful Category 5 storm that is now packing destructive maximum sustained winds of 165 mph as it spins hundreds of miles east of the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. ET advisory. The hurricane was located about 630 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, the hurricane center said Friday in the 5 a.m. update. “Additional strengthening is…

6 minutes ago Ten nests were lost to flooding from recent storms in Holden Beach (Photo: Town of Holden Beach) HOLDEN BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Holden Beach has provided a sad update to their turtle nesting season. A combination of the King Tide, offshore Hurricane Franklin and Tropical Storm Idalia led to over washing and flooding of nests on the beach. The Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program says they lost at least…

6 minutes ago (Photo: Pixabay) BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Nearly a week after Tropical Storm Idalia moved through the Cape Fear, the National Weather Service has confirmed another tornado. This brings the confirmed storm total to four tornadoes, after three tornadoes were already verified last week by survey crews. The most recently-identified tornado was an EF0 with winds of 65 mph. It was on the ground for 0.44 miles reaching a peak width of 20…

1 minute ago Hurricane Fran and Dorian paths (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — September 5th has proven to be a significant day in Cape Fear hurricane history. Hurricane Fran made landfall as a category three hurricane on September 5, 1996 with strong winds and heavy rain. Hurricane Dorian didn’t make landfall in the Cape Fear, coming ashore along the outer banks, but still brought at least 15 tornadoes as strong as EF2 strength. So…

5 minutes ago The Battleship North Carolina parking area was flooded after Tropical Storm Idalia came through the area, Sept. 2, 2023. Photo: WWAY WILMINGTON (WWAY) — It’s been several days since Idalia hit the Cape Fear, but there are still plenty of places feeling its aftermath. At the Battleship North Carolina, the parking lot was still flooded on Saturday, leaving visitors to wade through water higher than their ankles in some spots. The flooding…

23 seconds ago Idalia clean up in St. Petersburg, Florida, Sept. 1, 2023. Photo: MGN LIVE OAK, FL (AP) — President Joe Biden got a look Saturday from the sky at Hurricane Idalia’s impact across a swath of Florida before setting out on a walking tour of a city recovering from the storm. Notably absent from his schedule was any time with Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican president candidate who suggested a meeting could hinder disaster response efforts. “Our…

13 minutes ago CHARLESTON, S.C. (Sept. 1, 2023) — U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage at 21 stores across Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina where residents may need recovery assistance after Hurricane Idalia. Photo: U-Haul WILMINGTON (WWAY) — U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage at 21 stores across Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina where residents may need recovery assistance after Hurricane…

6 minutes ago WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The sun may be shining in the Cape Fear for Labor Day weekend, but Tropical Storm Idalia — which is now out to sea — is still raining on many people’s holiday weekend plans. According to a release from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality: people should avoid swimming near pipes or tunnels that discharge municipal water into the ocean, even if no sign is posted. …

6 minutes ago Moores Creek National Battlefield is closed due to flooding (Photo: WWAY) CURRIE, NC (WWAY) — Idalia is continuing to move further away from the Cape Fear, but flooding continues to be an issue in spots. Moores Creek National Battlefield will remained closed through September 4th because of the high water. The closure includes all park trails and roads. Staff say a determination will be made about park operations for September 5, pending…

11 minutes ago (Photo: Pixabay) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington National Weather Service has confirmed three tornado touchdowns on Wednesday evening as Tropical Storm Idalia moved through the Cape Fear. Survey crews found damage along Myrtle Grove Road in Wilmington from a 100 mph EF1 tornado. The tornado was on the ground for 1.5 miles from 7:31 p.m. to 7:35 p.m., with a maximum width of 30 yards. Crews say the tornado…

10 minutes ago (Photo: Pixabay) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington National Weather Service has confirmed two tornado touchdowns on Wednesday evening as Tropical Storm Idalia moved through. Survey crews found damage along Myrtle Grove Road in Wilmington from a 100 mph EF1 tornado. The tornado was on the ground for 1.5 miles from 7:31 p.m. to 7:35 p.m., with a maximum width of 30 yards. Crews say the tornado came ashore as…

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The weather is expected to improve vastly into the weekend, but some river flooding is still possible in the wake of Idalia. The Wilmington National Weather Service expects major flooding along the Little Pee Dee River at Galivants Ferry. Moderate flooding could take place on the NE Cape Fear River near Burgaw and along Black Creek near Quincy. Several other areas could see minor river flooding. River flooding is possible into…

11 minutes ago PERRY, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Idalia descended on the Carolinas on its way out to the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, leaving a trail of flooding and destruction throughout the Southeast that stretched back to its landfall as a hurricane in Florida. Rescue and repair efforts continued in the areas the storm passed Wednesday and there was no immediate word on the toll from the ferocious winds and inundating waters, but authorities counted at…

11 seconds ago WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Several tornado warnings were issued for the Cape Fear over the course of Wednesday evening. A couple of tornado touchdowns are believed to have taken place in Brunswick County. Two oak trees down on Myrtle Grove Rd near Golden Rd. Myrtle Grove were reported by the National Weather Service, making it not passable. The Sunset Beach Police Department posted around 8:30 p.m. saying water has crossed over the…

3 minutes ago SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County is the state’s fastest-growing county in the state and its right on the coast where thousands of people live. With Tropical Storm Idalia approaching, officials said they’re prepared for whatever it brings Wednesday evening. In Southport, businesses and homes along Bay Street put down sandbags and boarded up windows to keep out wind and water. Communal furniture along the waterfront like swings and tables have been…

5 minutes ago (Photo: NOAA) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Idalia is hundreds of miles from the Cape Fear, but will bring deteriorating weather over the afternoon and evening. The entire area is under a Tornado Watch until 10:00 p.m. and a Flood Watch until 8:00 p.m. Thursday. For the latest up-to-date info, click HERE.

5 minutes ago CEDAR KEY, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday in Florida as a Category 3 storm and unleashed devastation along a wide stretch of the Gulf Coast, submerging homes and vehicles, turning streets into rivers, unmooring small boats and downing power lines in an area that has never before received such a pummeling. More than 330,000 customers in Florida and Georgia were without electricity while rushing water covered streets near the…

8 seconds ago A tropical storm is expected to form in the Gulf of Mexico, Aug. 26, 2023. Photo: National Hurricane Center FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Saturday for most of the state’s Gulf coast as forecasters say a weather system off the coast of Mexico could soon become a tropical storm and start moving toward the area. DeSantis’ declaration covers the Gulf coast from the…

6 minutes ago Bald Head Island (Photo: WWAY) BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC (STARNEWS) — It has been a long time coming, but restoration work will soon begin on the Bald Head Island Lighthouse. The project will address storm damage from Hurricane Florence. The work is funded through a grant from the National Park Service. Click here to read more….

27 seconds ago (CNN) — Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on the South Texas coast late Tuesday morning, becoming the first storm to make a US landfall in the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. Harold came ashore on Padre Island, Texas, with sustained winds of 50 mph and higher gusts. Heavy rain and strong winds will continue to slam portions of South Texas and Mexico and areas farther inland as Harold tracks westward Tuesday afternoon and…

9 seconds ago CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — A weakening Hurricane Hilary headed for Mexico’s Baja California on Saturday as the U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” for the peninsula and for the southwestern United States, where it was forecast to cross the border as a tropical storm on Sunday. Officials issued an evacuation advisory for the tourist destination of Santa Catalina Island, 23 miles (37 kilometers) off the Southern California…

28 seconds ago MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Hilary grew rapidly to Category 4 strength off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Friday and could reach Southern California as the first tropical storm there in 84 years, causing “significant and rare impacts” including extensive flooding. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said a tropical storm watch has been issued for Southern California, the first time it has ever done that. Hilary had sustained winds near 145 mph (230…

21 seconds ago Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho (20) and Arizona Coyotes’ Phil Kessel (81) tussle during the third period of an NHL hockey game in RaleighCarolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho (20) and Arizona Coyotes’ Phil Kessel (81) tussle during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have extended the lease at their arena in Raleigh for 20…

1 minute ago LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii’s governor warned that scores more people could be found dead following the Maui wildfires as search crews go street by street through neighborhoods where the flames galloped as fast as a mile a minute across the landscape. The blazes that consumed most of the historic town of Lahaina, are already the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century, with a death toll of at least…

11 minutes ago Wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 9, 2023 (Photo: paele_kulani/CBS) WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WTVD) — A family from Wrightsville Beach is counting their blessing after their home was destroyed in the devastating Maui wildfires. Chip Venters said the initial moments after learning about the fires thousands of miles away were gut-wrenching. He was waiting to hear if his daughter who lives in Lahaina was OK. Thankfully as luck would have it, she was not…

6 minutes ago WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — The search of the wildfire wreckage on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Thursday revealed a wasteland of burned out homes and obliterated communities as firefighters battled the stubborn blaze that has already claimed 36 lives, making it the deadliest in the U.S. in recent years. Fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, the fire started Tuesday and took the island by surprise, racing through…

5 minutes ago Wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 9, 2023 (Photo: paele_kulani/CBS) HONOLULU (AP) — Wind-whipped wildfires raced through parts of Hawaii on Wednesday, burning structures in historic Lahaina Town on the island of Maui, forcing evacuations and leading some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where they were rescued by the Coast Guard. “Do NOT go to Lahaina Town,” the County of Maui tweeted, hours before all roads in and out of…

6 minutes ago The EF-3 tornado blew through a mobile home park in the Town of Dortches (Photo: CNN/WRAL) DORTCHES, NC (WWAY) — Two weeks after an EF-3 tornado devastated parts of the state, Governor Roy Cooper has now issued a disaster declaration for the Town of Dortches. This declaration is meant to assist the town in receiving the help they need, as the original damage assessment did not meet the requirements to receive help…

1 minute ago FILE – A woman walks near an uprooted tree, a flipped vehicle and debris from homes damaged by a tornado, March 27, 2023, in Rolling Fork, Miss. While the dangers of tornadoes to mobile homes have long been known, and there are ways to mitigate the risk, the percentage of total tornado deaths that happen in mobile homes has been increasing. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) (AP) — The Associated Press analyzed tornado…

11 minutes ago Debris is scattered around the Pfizer facility on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Rocky Mount, N.C., after damage from severe weather. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP) ROCKY MOUNT, NC (WTVD) — One week after the devastating EF-3 tornado that ripped through eastern North Carolina, the cleanup continues for businesses and families. In places such as Rocky Mount and Dortches, crews continued removing tree limbs and debris in the sweltering heat. One…

8 seconds ago Previous King Tide flooding (Photo: WWAY) CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Higher than normal tide levels are expected to flood parts of Carolina Beach over the next week. The Super Full Moon and lunar perigee will combine to bring King Tide flooding starting July 30th and continuing through August 3rd. Areas most often affected include Canal Drive, Florida Avenue, Winner Avenue, Carolina Beach Avenue North, and other low-lying areas. Town officials say…

21 seconds ago Matilda and Conrad Sheils were swept away in a flash flood in Yardley, Pa. The girl’s body was recovered July 22, 2023. Photo: MGN WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA (AP) — The body of a young girl was recovered Friday in the Delaware River and was believed to be a 2-year-old who was one of two children swept away from their family’s vehicle by a flash flood last weekend, authorities said. The body was…