Wilmington North Carolina News

35 seconds ago Several school systems across the Cape Fear have cancelled after-school activities due to the risk of severe weather (WWAY) — The Cape Fear has the chance of severe weather Wednesday afternoon and evening. As a result, several school systems across the area have cancelled after-school activities. Columbus County Schools, Bladen County Schools, Brunswick County Schools and Whiteville City Schools have cancelled all activities. New Hanover County Schools are currently making a decision,…

10 seconds ago The Cape Fear will see the risk of severe storms on Wednesday (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear could see severe weather on Wednesday. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms. Primary threat appears to be gusty winds, but there is a tornado threat as well. The line of storms should push through the area Wednesday…

6 minutes ago The Cape Fear received a much needed rainfall event over the weekend (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A much-needed widespread rain fell on Sunday across the entire Cape Fear. All of southeastern North Carolina received over an inch of rain, with Wilmington recording 1.79″ from the event. Southport received the most officially-recorded rainfall, with over two inches falling, according to the National Weather Service. The rain should help put a dent…

6 minutes ago A body was recently found in a sunken sailboat (Photo: Lee County Sheriff’s Office) (CBS NEWS) — Nearly four months after Hurricane Ian ravaged Florida, the body of a man missing since the storm has been found in a sunken sailboat off Fort Myers Beach, Lee County officials said. The discovery of the man’s body comes just days after the same authorities announced they had found the remains of an 82-year-old woman…

1 minute ago Tornado damage across the south (Photo: ABC News / YouTube / MGN) (CBS NEWS) — A massive storm system whipping up severe winds and spawning tornadoes cut a path across the South Thursday, killing at least seven people in Georgia and Alabama, where a tornado damaged buildings and tossed cars in the streets of historic downtown Selma. A six-year-old was among the dead, authorities said. Authorities said a clearer picture of the…

31 seconds ago The pier at River Road Park is undergoing construction (Photo: New Hanover County Parks & Gardens) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Construction is underway to repair the pier at River Road Park. Crews say the pier was damaged during Hurricane Isaias. For safety reasons, there will be no public ramp access during this time. Completion is expected around mid-summer.

6 minutes ago A tornado watch has been issued for the Cape Fear through Wednesday afternoon (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the entire Cape Fear. The watch includes Bladen, Columbus, Pender, New Hanover and Brunswick County through 5:00 p.m. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornado development. A tornado warning means a tornado is forming or has formed and you need to…

The deadly tornado struck Montgomery County just after 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Montgomery County officials said first responders saved the lives of many others. There have been 30 reported tornadoes across Louisiana Mississippi, and Alabama, according to the National Weather Service. An EF-1 with winds up to 115 mph was confirmed in Montgomery County that created havoc in the Flatwood community, according to the National Weather Service. Five other tornadoes have been confirmed elsewhere in…

14 seconds ago Boaters will not have to pay out of pocket for damage at the Southport Marina from Hurricane Isaias (Photo: Tela Diliberto/Tadphotos) SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — New details are being revealed about the resolution of claims between the previous owners of the Southport Marina and scores of boaters after Hurricane Isaias brought significant damage to both. Southport Marina Incorporated sent boat owners two letters in 2020 requesting compensation for hosting the boats during…

November 25, 2022 Minor flooding in typical flood hotspots is expected through Sunday morning due to high tides (Photo: WWAY – File) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Minor street flooding has been reported in parts of the Cape Fear the last two days. According to the National Weather Service, similar flooding is expected through Sunday. The flooding has taken place mainly along coastal zones, but downtown Wilmington has also seen flooded roadways along the riverfront. Most…

November 23, 2022 Gary Lee Lewis has been arrested for allegedly harassing people at the Florence Motor Speedway (Photo: Florence County Detention Center) TABOR CITY, NC (WWAY) — An off-duty Tabor City Police Officer has been arrested for allegedly harassing several people, pulling down his pants and fighting at a campsite at the Florence Motor Speedway. Gary Lee Lewis was given tickets for disorderly conduct and trespassing and taken to the Florence County Detention Center,…

November 10, 2022 The risk of tornadoes will increase Thursday night into Friday (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The risk of severe weather in the Cape Fear will increase Thursday night as a weakening Nicole pushes towards the Carolinas. Nicole made landfall in Florida early Thursday morning as a Category 1 Hurricane, with winds of 75 miles per hour. The storms marks the first hurricane to strike Florida in November since 1985. The system…

November 9, 2022 Tropical Storm Nicole is forecast to make landfall in Florida before curving up towards the Carolinas (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — There are just three weeks remaining in official hurricane season, but the tropics are remaining active. Tropical Storm Nicole has winds of 70 miles per hour and is forecast to become a weak Category 1 Hurricane before making landfall in Florida late Wednesday into early Thursday. From there Nicole will…

November 2, 2022 Hurricane Lisa and Hurricane Martin have formed in the Atlantic, making history (Photo: National Hurricane Center, NOAA) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Weather history is being made in the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center is tracking Hurricane Lisa and Hurricane Martin, making two active November hurricanes for the first time since 2001 and the third time on record. Hurricane Lisa has winds of 80 mph and is expected to make landfall in…

November 1, 2022 The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is collecting items for the victims of Hurricane Ian in Florida (Photo: WWAY) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is paying it forward by collecting items for those still struggling in Florida following Hurricane Ian. During Hurricane Florence, the Sheriff’s Office says they had 44 Deputies who were victims of flooding and damage to their homes. The Sheriff’s Office had…

October 18, 2022 Funding is helping coastal communities in the Cape Fear WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Three communities in the Cape Fear have received millions in funding for storm damage projects from the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division. A total of $20.1 million in grants has been awarded to eight communities, five of which are in other parts of the state. The awards from the Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund support beach nourishment, dune…

October 17, 2022 A winning Mega Millions ticket was sold in Fort Myers, Florida weeks after Hurricane Ian FORT MYERS (ABC NEWS) — One of the winning tickets to Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot was sold in Fort Myers, Florida, weeks after Hurricane Ian devastated the area. Ticket holders in California and Florida matched all six numbers on Friday night, winning $494 million on Friday, lottery officials said in a news release. Friday’s jackpot was the…

October 11, 2022 The Whiteville Fire Department carried donations to Florida to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian (Photo: Whiteville Fire Department) WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — It’s been nearly two weeks since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a high-end category 4 storm, but victims of the tropical system are still struggling. Over the past week, the Whiteville Fire Department collected supplies from the community to carry to those in need. Firefighter Rocky McPherson…

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina is supporting the State of Florida after Hurricane Ian. “Although we mourn five deaths and incurred some damage, it’s clear North Carolina missed the worst of this storm,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “Now that some of our emergency resources are no longer needed at home, we are sending additional assistance to our Florida neighbors, who have a long road of recovery ahead.” In response to requests Florida placed through the…

October 4, 2022 The Whiteville Fire Department is collecting donations for Hurricane Ian victims (Photo: Whiteville Fire Department) WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — If you’re looking to donate to those impacted by Hurricane Ian, you have the chance through this weekend in Whiteville. Firefighters are taking donations of items at the Whiteville Fire Department on Columbus Street. Organizers are looking for water, toiletries and food (dry goods). The Whiteville Fire Department says they want to deliver…

October 4, 2022 A shrimp boat has been freed from the shore after being beached by Ian (Photo: WPDE) MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Workers continued to dig out sand Tuesday morning from around a shrimp boat that washed ashore Friday in Myrtle Beach during Hurricane Ian. As of 2:50 pm Tuesday, the vessel had made it back out to sea with the help of local tow boats. Myrtle Beach police monitored the area and kept…

October 3, 2022 The NWS has confirmed a tornado touchdown Friday in Holden Beach (Photo: WWAY) HOLDEN BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Ian brought strong winds, storm surge and heavy rain to the Cape Fear on Friday. According to the National Weather Service, the storm also helped to spawn a brief tornado in Holden Beach. A tornado warning was issued at 12:22 pm on Friday for a potential water spout off the Brunswick County coast….

October 3, 2022 Satellite view of Hurricane Ian near the Caribbean Islands on 9/26/2022 (Photo: NOAA) (CNN) — The number of people killed in Florida by Hurricane Ian rose to at least 100 on Monday, days after the storm made landfall at Category 4 strength, decimating coastal towns and leaving rescue crews searching for survivors while communities face the daunting task of rebuilding. At least 54 people died in Lee County alone, Sheriff Carmine Marceno said Monday…

October 3, 2022 BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It was a dramatic scene along the waterfront communities in Brunswick County as Hurricane Ian crept toward the Carolinas on Friday. Massive, choppy waves crashed in Ocean Isle Beach before the storm surge breached the dunes and flooded roads. Residents say water rose up as high as their mailboxes. The bridge onto the island closed in the early afternoon because of the storm surge. It reopened around…

September 30, 2022 Flooding along Water Street in Wilmington (Photo: City of Wilmington) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Ian is slowly pulling away from the Cape Fear, but it’s left its mark on the area. In addition to storm surge and damage around the area, the City of Wilmington was flooded due to storm surge. The worst of the flooding was seen along Water Street. Road closures are in place for Water Street, Airlie Road and…

September 30, 2022 Hurricane Ian made landfall at 2:05 pm near Georgetown, SC (Photo: WWAY) GEORGETOWN, SC (WWAY) — Hurricane Ian has officially made landfall — for the fourth time. After making an initial landfall in Cuba, another landfall in the Dry Tortugas, a third landfall (as a strong category 4) in Florida, Ian’s journey over water came to an end at 2:05 pm Friday. The storm pushed ashore near Georgetown, SC with winds of…

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Areas of the Cape Fear are seeing significant flooding from storm surge during Hurricane Ian’s approach at high tide causing road closures across multiple counties. The Sunset Beach bridge is closed due to a breach of the causeway. Flooding on Causeway in Sunset Beach on September 30, 2022 (Photo: Sunset Beach Police Department) Bay Street and Brunswick Street in Southport on Sept. 30, 2022 (Photo: Southport Police Department) Southport is…

September 30, 2022 Flooding on Sunset Beach bridge on September 30, 2022 (Photo: Sunset Beach Police Department/ Facebook) SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Sunset Beach Police Department has closed the bridge due to flooding ahead of Hurricane Ian. According to a Facebook post from the Sunset Beach Police Department, water is beginning to breach the causeway to the island. The police department said do not attempt to drive around the barricades and never drive…

September 30, 2022 The NC Ferry System has been suspended due to Ian (Photo: NCDOT) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Every ferry system up and down the North Carolina coast have been temporarily suspended as Hurricane Ian pushes closer. Local ferry impacts include the Deep Point/Bald Head Island Ferry and the Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry. Originally, the Deep Point/Bald Head Island Ferry had plans to run today, but weather conditions continue to worsen. The North Carolina Ferry…

September 30, 2022 Sunset Beach Town Hall (Photo: WWAY) SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Sunset Beach is asking residents to leave the island as Hurricane Ian continues to head closer to the Cape Fear. Public Safety officials are concerned that the Causeway could be breached due to the anticipated storm surge of two to four feet, coupled with the high tide Friday morning. With high tide arriving around 11:30 a.m., the Causeway…

September 29, 2022 Hurricane Warnings extend to the NC, SC line, with Tropical Storm warnings for the Cape Fear (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Tropical Storm Ian may not remain below hurricane status for much longer. The latest track from the National Hurricane Center has the tropical system restrengthening to a category 1 hurricane before making landfall early Friday in South Carolina. Ian is expected to regain hurricane strength in the next 24 hours…

September 29, 2022 Gov. Roy Cooper is speaking at 3:00 pm Thursday about Tropical Storm Ian (Photo: WWAY) RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — After issuing a State of Emergency on Wednesday for North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper is set to speak Thursday afternoon about the approach of Tropical Storm Ian. Ian made landfall Wednesday afternoon in Florida as a powerful category 4 hurricane, with winds of 150 mph. Thankfully the storm has rapidly weakened, but Ian…

Tips for the public ahead of the storm September 28, 2022 WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)- With hurricane Ian making landfall in Florida Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 storm, North Carolina state and county agencies and communities are preparing to feel some of its effects later this week. Hurricane Ian is expected to pack a punch and in some form, the storm will be felt along the North Carolina Coast. The biggest concern in our region…

September 28, 2022 Governor Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina (Photo: Roy Cooper/Youtube) RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — In advance of Hurricane Ian’s remnants moving through the state, Governor Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency. By doing so, the Governor activates the state’s emergency operations plan, waives transportation rules to helps the transport of fuel and critical supplies, help first responders and the agriculture industry and protect consumers from price…

September 28, 2022 Power crews are staying in the Cape Fear for now (Photo: WWAY) (WWAY) — Power outages aren’t expected to be a big impact from a weakening Ian as it approaches the Cape Fear, but power crews are ready just in case. Crews from Duke Energy and Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation say they’ll be ready if any areas see their power knocked out from the storm. BEMC says they haven’t sent any crews…

September 28, 2022 ST. PETERSBURG, FL (AP) — Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified as it neared landfall along Florida’s southwest coast Wednesday morning, gaining top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), just shy of the most dangerous Category 5 status. Damaging winds and rain lashed the state, and the heavily populated Naples to Sarasota region was at highest risk of a devastating storm surge. U.S. Air Force hurricane hunters confirmed Ian gained strength over warm Gulf…

September 27, 2022 Carolina Beach Lake is being lowered ahead of Hurricane Ian rainfall (Photo: WWAY) CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Carolina Beach is preparing days in advance for the impact of Hurricane Ian. While the storm is forecast to be much weaker by the time it reaches the Carolinas, Ian is still set to bring inches of rainfall to the Cape Fear. In preparation for the excessive rain totals, Carolina Beach…

September 26, 2022 WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The American Red Cross of the Cape Fear is deploying volunteers to assist in response to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona. The Red Cross says volunteers are prepared to help after Hurricane Fiona left severe flooding in Puerto Rico, and the organization is expecting Hurricane Ian to have significant impact Florida’s Gulf Coast. The American Red Cross of the Cape Fear Area’s emergency response vehicle will be heading to…

September 26, 2022 Flooding from Hurricane Matthew closed down Bladen County Schools (Photo: Kirsten Gutierrez/WWAY) RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) — A new federal audit shows just how woefully delayed the response has been for recent hurricane victims in North Carolina. Troubleshooter Diane Wilson was at a hearing earlier this month where lawmakers grilled officials with ReBuild NC, which is the state-run program that uses federal dollars to rebuild low-income storm-impacted communities throughout North Carolina. The audit, which…

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…