Wilmington North Carolina News

September 22, 2022 Big waves and rip currents are expected as Hurricane Fiona passes well offshore (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Fiona is a powerful category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph. Thankfully, the tropical system is hundreds of miles off our coast and will continue to push further away in the next 24-48 hours. Although no direct impacts will be felt from Fiona, there are still dangerous conditions being seen…

September 21, 2022 Flooding in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Fiona (Photo: Fire Dept. Bureau of Puerto Rico / MGN) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — People of the Cape Fear are no stranger to disaster. That’s one reason some volunteers from the area are headed to Puerto Rico to help those impacted by Hurricane Fiona. James Jarvis is the executive director of the Cape Fear area Red Cross. He says four people from the area are in…

September 19, 2022 Hurricane Fiona is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s been a relatively quiet hurricane season so far, but the tropics are still active. There’s over two months until the official end of hurricane season on November 30th, and we could see our first major hurricane of the season this week. The latest forecast track from the National Weather Service has Hurricane Fiona continuing to…

September 16, 2022 A major storm is set to hit Alaska (Photo: ZoomEarth / JMA / NOAA / CIRA / MGN) (CBS NEWS) — Alaska is bracing for dangerous weather as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok move toward the Bering Sea region. Forecasters predict that the storm, set to hit on Friday, could bring “potentially historical” flooding, with some coastal areas seeing water levels up to 11 feet higher than the normal high tide. “Latest…

September 15, 2022 Officials in Boiling Spring Lakes tour damage left from Hurricane Florence (Photo: Matthew Huddleston / WWAY) LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Yesterday marked four years since Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, destroying homes and businesses across the Cape Fear. A lot has changed since the storm, but some impacts are still visible. A bus tour carried local officials around Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender County today to see some of the…

September 15, 2022 MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Fiona is on a path to threaten the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. The Atlantic Hurricane Season’s sixth named storm formed Wednesday evening, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm watches for the Caribbean’s easternmost islands. “Interests in the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of this system,” the center said. At 8 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Fiona…

September 14, 2022 CAPE FEAR REGION, NC (WWAY) —Wednesday marks four years since Hurricane Florence hit Southeastern North Carolina, leaving a trail of damage behind. Some of the hardest hit areas are still picking up the pieces. “I remember as we were leaving, looking back and just seeing the water,” said Brittany Hancock, resident. Four Years Ago, Stoney Creek Plantation Residents In Brunswick County were leaving their homes behind, evacuating as their neighborhood experienced significant…

September 13, 2022 Wilmington, NC (WWAY)– Tomorrow marks the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Florence, and one Downtown Wilmington building is still undergoing restoration.   The Alton Lennon Federal Building and US Courthouse Building located on Water Street suffered flood and electrical damage from Hurricane Florence back in 2018, and has been under construction since.     The initial finish date for the building was Summer of 2024 with construction being off Water Street by Summer of…

September 7, 2022 A high rip current risk is expected along eastern-facing beaches (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The second hurricane of the 2022 hurricane season is hundreds of miles off the Cape Fear coast but is still bringing impacts to local beaches. Hurricane Earl has sustained winds of 85 miles per hour and is forecast to become a major hurricane by Thursday evening. Thankfully, the path of Earl will come nowhere near the…

September 5, 2022 Hurricane Dorian – Atlantic Ocean near Savannah WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Today marks the anniversary of two of the Cape Fear’s most memorable recent hurricanes. On September 5, 1996, Hurricane Fran made landfall as a Category 3 near the North Carolina and South Carolina state line with strong winds and heavy rain. The barometric pressure in Wilmington fell to 961.4 millibars, the second all-time lowest pressure recorded in the Port City. Wilmington…

September 3, 2022 (Photo: Bloomberg Markets and Finance / YouTube) WEED, CA (AP) — A wind-swept wildfire in rural Northern California tore through a neighborhood and destroyed about 100 homes and other buildings, fire officials said Saturday after at least two people were injured and thousands were forced from their homes. The Mill Fire started shortly before 1 p.m. Friday just north of Weed, a city of about 2,600 people 250 miles (402 kilometers) north…

September 3, 2022 (courtesy: MGN, NOAA) MIAMI, FL (AP) — Tropical Storm Danielle strengthened into a hurricane Friday morning — the first of an unusually quiet storm season. The storm is not currently a threat to any land. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were clocked at 75 mph (120 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The storm is centered about 885 miles (1,425 kilometers) west of the Azores and is drifting west at…

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Danielle continues to strengthen in the Atlantic. It is expected to become the first hurricane of an unusually quiet storm season. The storm is not currently a threat to any land. The storm’s maximum sustained winds early Friday were near 70 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says additional strengthening is forecast and the storm is expected to become a hurricane later in the morning. The storm is centered about…

September 1, 2022 Satellite image of Tropical Storm DanielleSatellite image of Tropical Storm Danielle (WWAY) – Tropical Storm Danielle has now formed in the northern Atlantic. This ends the 60 day streak without a named storm in the Atlantic basin. Maximum winds are currently at 40 miles-per-hour. It is however being forecasted to strengthen into the first hurricane of the 2022 season. Danielle poses no threat to the U.S.

August 30, 2022 (Photo: MGN) (CNN) — An 11-year-old boy died after he fell into the water and was swept into a storm drain during a flash flood in northwest Arkansas Monday evening, according to police. An adult who tried to save the boy also was swept into the drain and was rescued, officials said. The boy drowned after he “accidentally fell into the water and the current swept him under,” Bentonville Police Corporal Adam McInnis said in…

August 29, 2022 Wilmington, NC (WWAY)– Duke Energy has been preparing for hurricane season, and the possibility of major power outages across the Cape Fear.  On Monday, Duke Energy held an information session to discuss its storm forecasting, hurricane response, and how it is strengthening the power grid for major storms.   Linemen, meteorologists, and even drone pilots talked about what they do, and how it is important to hurricane preparedness and recovery.   The main topic of discussion was how Duke has made…

August 22, 2022 (Photo: NC Forest Service) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Crews continue to contain a fire that has been burning in rural Pender County for weeks. The incident management team began demobilizing today, and the Pender County ranger, with support from N.C. Forest Service District 8 personnel, will assume command of the fire. Infrared drone flights will be conducted as needed to determine if any hot spots remain. Pender County personnel, along with NCFS…

August 22, 2022 RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Local governments can now apply for gap financing to increase the availability of safe, affordable housing in areas of the state that experienced major damage from hurricanes Matthew and Florence. A total of $19.4 million will be allocated by October 2022 for shovel-ready projects that focus on community resilience. “The Affordable Housing Development Fund’s focus on multi-family projects will increase opportunities for families working to recover from the…

August 18, 2022 PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The NC Forest Service is preparing for the demobilization of some resources now that the wildfire in Pender County is 77 percent contained. Pender County officials say the fire remains 1,226 acres in size, as it has for days, and will continue to be closely monitored. Operations personnel and a more condensed incident management team remain on the scene. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in effect…

August 17, 2022 (Photo: Andrew Chappell) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Crews in Pender County continue to hold the Holly Shelter Game Land wildfire to 1,226 acres and have now contained 65 percent of the blaze. The fire has remained the same size for days and crews continue to closely monitor the weather as significant heat continues to linger within the fire area. As fire containment continues to increase, the NC Forest Service says certain…

More than 80 operations and administrative personel involved August 14, 2022 PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – Crews continue to battle a wildfire in the Holly Shelter Game Lands.  The Juniper Road Two Fire started August 2 from a lightning strike, and covers more than 1,200 acres.   Despite the inch of rainfall from Friday, fire crews continue to work on putting out the fire. More than 30 personnel on the ground faced with challenges, according to…

August 12, 2022 (Photo: Andrew Chappell) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The wildfire in the Holly Shelter Game Land started by a lightning strike on August 2nd isn’t quite as large as originally thought. While still only 25 percent contained as of this morning, the NC Forest Service says more accurate mapping revealed the fire isn’t over 2,000 acres, instead spanning around 1,230 acres. Yesterday, fire personnel say they continued to strengthen existing containment lines…

August 11, 2022 PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – A large wildfire continues to burn in Pender County, and now spans at least 2,000 acres. What is now being called the Juniper Road 2 Fire is slowly headed east toward highway 50, crews working hard to contain it. According to the North Carolina Forest Service no buildings or people are in danger but are hopeful some rain Friday may help to douse the fire imprint. As…

August 11, 2022 (Photo: Andrew Chappell) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A wildfire that was first reported to be affecting 150 acres on Wednesday in rural Pender County has now grown by over 10 times. The NC Forest Service is reporting the Holly Shelter Game Land fire has increased to over 1,500 acres of the game land’s 63,000 acres. Officials say the fire is just 14 percent contained and is around 2 miles from NC…

August 11, 2022 (Photo: Andrew Chappell) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A wildfire that was first reported to be affecting 150 acres on Wednesday in rural Pender County has now grown by over 10 times. The NC Forest Service is reporting the Holly Shelter Game Land fire has increased to over 2,000 acres of the game land’s 63,000 acres. Officials say the fire is just 25 percent contained and is around 2 miles from NC…

August 10, 2022 (Photo: Pender County Emergency Management) MAPLE HILL, NC (WWAY) — Pender County Emergency Management is on the scene of an approximately 150-acre wildfire located inside the Holly Shelter Game Lands. Pender County EM staff is assisting the North Carolina Forest Service with the fire. Smoke from this fire may affect the Maple Hill, Holly Ridge, and other neighborhoods along the Pender County and Onslow County borders. For updates throughout the day, you…

August 9, 2022 (Photo: National Agricultural Library / MGN) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Today marks 78 years since Smokey Bear was created by the US Forest Service on August 9, 1944. According to the organization, the fictional bear was created to be the symbol for their effort to promote forest fire prevention. The group says 9 of every 10 wild fires is caused by human activity. Artist Albert Staehle was asked to paint the first…

August 5, 2022 Waterspout in Maryland on August 4, 2022 (Photo Credit: Amy Somers/CBS) SMITH ISLAND, MD (WBOC) — An apparent waterspout caused damage to boats and other structures on Smith Island on Thursday night. The waterspout was spotted at around 7:20 p.m. Some WBOC viewers captured photos of it and Daniel and Amy Somers captured this Facebook video of the waterspout as it touched down on the island. People who live on Smith Island…

August 3, 2022 SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — It’s been two years since Hurricane Isaias made landfall in the Cape Fear, leaving severe damage in Southport and Oak Island. City and town officials are reflecting on the storm, and how they have recovered. In August 2020, Hurricane Isaias made landfall as a Category 1 storm. The storm brought a tornado as it dumped rain on the east coast. The town of Oak Island saw its sand dunes…

July 29, 2022 (Photo: Terry Adams Sr.) WHITESBURG, KY (WWAY) — An amazing story has come out of a disastrous situation in Kentucky. Record flooding caused by massive amounts of rainfall in a short period of time has destroyed numerous homes and led to the deaths of at least 8 people across the state. But for one woman and her dog, a more positive outcome unfolded late Thursday in Whitesburg, near the Kentucky and Virginia…

July 25, 2022 Flooding (Photo: Pixabay) RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper has issued Executive Order No. 266 to improve the resilience of state buildings against flooding. The Order directs the North Carolina Department of Administration (NC DOA) to work with stakeholders to update the state’s Uniform Floodplain Management Policy. “Using foresight and data to protect public buildings and other structures from flood damage is smart and responsible,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “Climate change is causing more…

July 21, 2022 Flooding after Hurricane Florence in Pender County (Photo: WWAY) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Nearly two months into hurricane season, Pender County is continuing to provide hurricane preparedness information for citizens in our county. Pender County Emergency Management states their commitment to promoting personal and community preparedness techniques to ensure all citizens understand their flood risk, work to mitigate their flood risk and stay informed regarding hurricanes and flood events. In the…

July 15, 2022 (Photo: Town of Oak Island) OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — Heavy rain moved onshore this morning, causing flooding in many local areas. Oak Island saw minor street flooding, along with tons of lightning. The Town’s Stormwater Administrator and Public Works crews placed pumping equipment early this morning to help with the problem. They say the main areas of issue were Ocean Drive, E Yacht Drive, W Beach Drive and other surrounding areas.

July 14, 2022 (CBS) — More than a dozen people remain unaccounted for in western parts of Virginia after sudden and severe storms washed some homes right off their foundations. Buchanan County Sheriff John McClanahan said Thursday that authorities have made contact with 27 people, leaving 17 people unaccounted for in Buchanan County, Virginia, McClanahan said in a statement. He said there are no reports of injuries or deaths. The powerful floodwaters washed away more than…

July 8, 2022 Yosemite wildfire is latest threat to giant sequoia trees (Photo: Yosemite National Park) YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA (AP) — Officials say part of Yosemite National Park has been closed as a wildfire rages near a grove of California’s famed giant sequoia trees. The fire tripled in size by Friday and forced park officials to close Mariposa Grove. It is the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and features more than 500 mature giant…

July 4, 2022 BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — Sunday, Oak Island responded to six separate rescue calls, including the fourth Oak Island drowning of the season. All this while Oak Island Water Rescue says they flew a double red flag, discouraging people from getting into potentially dangerous water. “They can be in 18 inches of water, a wave knock them over, and all of a sudden a rip current will take them out,” Assistant Chief Tom…

July 2, 2022 Tropical Storm (Photo: NASA/MGN Online) BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Tropical Storm Colin has forced officials with the NC 4th of July Festival to cancel events scheduled for Saturday. The system quickly developed in the early morning hours off the coast of the Carolinas, prompting tropical storm warnings along the North and South Carolina coast from Charleston, SC to Duck, NC. There is a high risk of rip currents and winds gusts…

June 21, 2022 Yellowstone flooding rebuild could take years, cost billions (Photo: Yellowstone National Park) Yellowstone National Park is celebrating its 150th anniversary as it faces its biggest challenge in decades. Floodwaters that tore through the park this week destroyed potentially hundreds of bridges, washed out miles of roads and drove out more than 10,000 visitors. The scope of the damage is still being tallied by Yellowstone officials, but based on other national park disasters,…

June 19, 2022 (CBS) — Portions of Yellowstone National Park will reopen beginning next week, the National Park Service announced Saturday. The news comes several days after historic flooding destroyed houses, water systems and roads in the area and forced the park to close. The park’s south loop will have limited service beginning Wednesday at 8 a.m., the park service said. The north loop will remained closed until further notice. In a statement Saturday, the park service said it expects…

June 14, 2022 SUPPLY, NC (WWAY) — This afternoon, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) completed its annual hurricane tabletop exercise to simulate its response to severe weather. During the exercise, employees reviewed and discussed the actions they would take during a hurricane, testing their emergency plan. The tabletop exercise was used to clarify roles and responsibilities, and to gauge the effectiveness of BEMC’s severe weather preparedness. “As the season starts, we conduct hurricane exercises and…

June 11, 2022 LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of people turned out for the second annual Leland Hurricane Expo held at the town’s Cultural Arts Center on Saturday. Crowds filled the building to learn more about hurricane preparedness this season. The event featured speakers as well as several exhibits about insurance, flood zones and other important weather topics. Emergency Management Chief John Grimes says events like this one are very important “When we start getting…

June 10, 2022 CAPE FEAR REGION, NC (WWAY) – Three Cape Fear leaders are expected to head to Washington, D.C. next week to talk with other leaders from across the country about flooding and rising sea levels. Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, Burgaw Mayor Olivia Dawson, and Pender County Commissioner Jackie Newton will be attending the American Flood Coalition’s Mayors Summit. The three will join 22 other leaders, representing a population of more than 24.7 million…

June 4, 2022 ROCKY POINT, NC (WWAY) — We’re now 4 days into hurricane season, which runs through November 30th. While no storms are forecast to impact the Cape Fear anytime soon officials in Pender County want people to be prepared. A Disaster Expo was held in Rocky Point on Saturday, allowing people the chance to speak with representatives from the National Weather Service, United Way and emergency management. Organizers say events like these are…

Ahead of the first potential tropical storm of the season, an insurance agent is offering some advice to make sure you’re covered. June 2, 2022 Flooding in the Whitestocking community (photo: WWAY) SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Ahead of the first potential tropical storm of the season, an insurance agent is offering some advice to make sure you’re covered. Typically, flood insurance through FEMA doesn’t take effect until 30 days after you’ve purchased it. Matthew Bradley…

June 1, 2022 The Town of Leland will host its second annual Hurricane Expo on Sat., June 11 (Photo: Town of Leland) LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Leland will host its second annual Hurricane Expo on Saturday, June 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way. This year’s expo will feature workshops on the hurricane season outlook, a question and answer panel…

May 31, 2022 NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District held its final training session ahead of the start of hurricane season. The Army Corps of Engineers is laying out plans they will have in place if a hurricane happens to hit Wilmington. They reviewed possible scenarios for severe weather, which included 24 hours before a hurricane makes landfall and 24 hours after. Colonel Benjamin Bennett Commander of the U.S. Army…

May 31, 2022 WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting an above-normal 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, UNCW’s Environmental Health and Safety Department stresses the need for students and employees to have personal preparedness plans and be aware of emergency procedures and campus communications. NOAA forecasts 14 to 21 named storms with the possibility of three to six major hurricanes. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will update the 2022 Atlantic seasonal outlook in early August,…

May 31, 2022 RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Chris Kreider scored twice and the New York Rangers ended Carolina’s perfect postseason run at home by beating the Hurricanes 6-2 in the decisive Game 7 of their second-round playoff series. Igor Shesterkin was strong in net again, finishing with 36 saves. New York won for the fifth straight time in an elimination game this postseason. Adam Fox also had a first-period power-play goal as New York jumped…

May 30, 2022 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers are set for a Game 7 in their second-round series in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Hurricanes are 7-0 at home and have home-ice advantage again. The Rangers have won four straight elimination games following a comeback win against Pittsburgh in the first round. The winner will reach the Eastern Conference finals to face reigning two-time Cup champion Tampa Bay. The…