Wilmington North Carolina News

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Car crash (Photo: MGN) (WPDE) – Cpl. Sonny Collins of South Carolina Highway Patrol says one person is dead after a crash in Florence County. It happened on Highway 301, near Red Rd. Around 9:45 p.m. Friday, Collins says a Ford Fusion was headed north, when it ran off the right side of the road, and hit the rear of a commercial vehicle that was legally parked. – Advertisement…

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man facing several sexual assault charges for a crime that happened during Hurricane Florence appeared in New Hanover County court on Tuesday. Benjamin DiCicco, 43, was arrested and charged with rape and kidnapping on September 17, 2018. According to the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office, DiCicco pleaded no contest to kidnapping and sexual battery. A judge sentenced DiCicco to a minimum of three and a half years…

After a grim post-storm outlook, community support and dedicated volunteers help restore historic cemetery WILMINGTON – Save for the hum of cars winding by on Princess Place Drive, it’s all quiet at Bellevue Cemetery – and it’s caretakers are immensely grateful for it. Nearly a year and a half ago, Hurricane Florence ripped through the region and ravaged the 32-acre historic cemetery. The destructive storm drowned the staff’s landscaping equipment in Burnt Mill Creek, knocked…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Smoke from a prescribed burn at Orton Plantation in Brunswick County could be seen at least as far away as the Pine Valley area of Wilmington on March 10, 2016. (Photo: Jessica Viox) WINNABOW, NC (January 17, 2020) – Orton Plantation will conduct some small controlled burns in January and February. According to a press release, these small burns will address Hurricane Dorian debris clean up and will be…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Surf City Dunes January 2019 (Photo: Town of Surf City/Facebook) NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers will award $281 million to a North Carolina city and county heavily impacted by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. State Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr announced in a statement Monday that the Corps will release $237 million to Surf City/North Topsail Beach and $44.5 million to Carteret County…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Terry Lebo (pictured third from left, front row) (Photo: NWS Wilmington) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A local meteorologist is headed to Australia to help forecasters there as wildfires continue to burn across the country. Incident Meteorologist Terry Lebo at the National Weather Service in Wilmington will help the Bureau of Meteorology with fire weather forecasting support to help protect life and property with their unprecedented wildfires. – Advertisement –…

Damage from the possible tornado touchdown in Loris, Jan. 13, 2020. (Photo: Jordie Brotherton/WPDE) CAROLINAS (WWAY/WPDE) — Severe weather caused damage to two schools in the Carolinas Monday afternoon — one in Clinton and another in Loris, SC. A line of strong storms moved through Sampson County around 1:50 p.m., possibly producing a tornado. Around 2:45 p.m., Sampson County posted on Facebook that emergency officials have responded to a partial roof collapse at the Union…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter CHARLOTTE, NC (WSOC) — Powerful storms ripped through the Charlotte region and beyond Saturday night, bringing strong winds, rain and leaving thousands without power. Officials said several fallen trees were reported across the region as well. – Advertisement – No injuries were reported in the Charlotte area from Saturday’s storms. In Kershaw County, South Carolina, the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado hit North Central High School. Crews on…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter (Photo: Florence County Detention Center) FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — The Florence Police Department says a man has been arrested after a police pursuit that left a police officer hurt. The department says officers were called to 230 North Beltline Drive Friday at around 6:26 p.m. for a report of a suspicious person inside of a vehicle. – Advertisement – They say Charles W. Bailey put his vehicle in reverse while…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter DAVIDSON COUNTY, NC (WGHP) — Students at Oak Grove High School have watched the devastation in Australia and are using their artistic talents to show their support and raise money for recovery. Catherine Deaton’s AP art class felt compelled to help. – Advertisement – “If we take the time to do something we can make a small impact, I feel like that’s what we’re doing right now,” student Daniel…

The Savannah Inn in Carolina Beach to fully reopen after nearly a year and a half of Hurricane Florence recovery (photo: WWAY) CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Savannah Inn in Carolina Beach has almost fully recovered from damage sustained during Hurricane Florence. As of Wednesday, repairs are nearly completed. – Advertisement – Inn Manager Brittany Francis says it’s been a tough journey. “It hasn’t been easy, but it’s getting easier day by day,” Francis…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — As the world watches devastating wildfires blaze across Australia, there’s been an outpouring of donations to aid relief efforts. NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall urges North Carolina’s giving public to be both generous and wise to make sure their donations do the most good possible. – Advertisement – “We’ve all been moved by the heartbreaking images coming out of Australia,” Secretary Marshall said…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter (ABC News) — The wildfires in Australia have destroyed millions of acres of land, killed at least two dozen people so far and left thousands more people and animals in danger. The overwhelming images of the land under siege have led to support from people around the world. – Advertisement – Social media has played a big role in corralling that help, with celebrities and influencers sharing how they are donating. Singer Pink…

Crews are starting the paving project Friday. (Photo: Monique Robinson/WWAY) SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — It’s been a long road to post-Florence recovery in Surf City and one of the last steps in the rebuild is getting the roads repaired. “We took a hit and we’ve recovered and this is kind of one of those last things that we’re trying to do in the recovery mode,” Chad Merritt, the maintenance and streets director, said. –…

Australian wildfire (Photo: NSW Rural Fire Service/MGN) Perth, Australia (CBS NEWS) — Australia deployed military ships and aircraft Wednesday to help communities ravaged by apocalyptic wildfires that destroyed homes and sent thousands of residents and holidaymakers fleeing to the shoreline. Navy ships and military aircraft were bringing water, food and fuel to towns where supplies were depleted and roads were cut off by the fires. Since Monday, seven people have died as destructive wildfires tore through communities…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter PERTH, AUSTRALIA (AP) — Wildfires burning across Australia’s two most populous states have trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions, destroyed many properties and caused at least two fatalities. About 4,000 people fled to the waterfront of a southeastern town as winds pushed an emergency-level wildfire towards their homes. – Advertisement – The town of Mallacoota was shrouded in darkness from the smoke before turning an unnerving…

The Riggs family weren’t home when a century-old tree fell through through roof during the hurricane WILMINGTON — The family photos are stacked on the kitchen table. The Christmas ornaments are boxed away beside the front door. The manufacturer stickers are still stuck to new windows out front. For the Riggs family, their home is a work in progress, but they are finally back in it for the first time since Hurricane Florence dropped a…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter [embedded content] WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington began work this week on another major project to repair stormwater drainage pipes damaged during Hurricane Florence. Failures to underground pipes during Florence’s torrential rains have caused cave-ins on city streets at more than 70 locations throughout the city. The project started on Shirley Road and work at all locations is expected to be completed within six months. Shirley…

David Burnette (Photo: NC Education Lottery) EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY) — A major jackpot, $340 million, is up for grabs in Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing, but don’t throw away your ticket if you don’t win the jackpot, it could still be worth a lot of money. David Burnette of Newport found that out when he won a $50,000 Mega Millions prize in last Friday’s drawing. He said he plans to repair the damage Hurricane…

A family is getting help from ReBuild NC to repair damage from Hurricane Matthew and Florence. (Photo: Kylie Jones/WWAY) COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A long awaited gift came just in time for Christmas for one family. They lost their home not once, but twice when Hurricane Matthew hit, then Florence. On Thursday, Governor Roy Cooper stopped by to check out the progress in Whiteville. – Advertisement – Between flooding to pipes bursting, the Settle…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Gov. Cooper in Columbus County in Oct. 2018 (Photo: WWAY) COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WAWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper will be in the Cape Fear Thursday afternoon. He plans to visit a home in Whiteville severely damaged by a recent hurricane. – Advertisement – The home is undergoing renovations with money from a Community Development Block Grant. WWAY’s Kylie Jones will have more tonight on WWAY News at 5. SHARE…

FEMA (Photo: MGN Online) BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two more North Carolina counties, including Bladen County, are eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance to supplement state and local Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts. FEMA Public Assistance funding is now available to local governments, state agencies and certain private nonprofits in Bladen and Chowan counties if they were affected by Hurricane Dorian beginning Sept. 1-9. – Advertisement – The two additions bring the total to…

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s Giving Tuesday and Bank of America is writing a hefty check to Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity. The non-profit’s executive director, Steve Spain, says the $200,000 comes at the right time. Spain says this money will help jump start their new efficiency cottage program, which is geared towards helping families that lived in mobile homes severely damaged by Hurricane Florence. He adds this program is a smaller version of their…

COLUMBUS COUNTY (WWAY) — A holiday tradition in our area is making a big comeback this year. It is called the Tabor City Nativity and Christmas Expo. Hurricanes Matthew and Florence caused $20,000 worth of damages to the store. – Advertisement – Now, it is back in business. From the outside looking in, you’d never think there could be so many depictions of the birth of Jesus Christ. Owner Rodney Gore says he is proud…

CAPE LOOKOUT, NC (AP) — A trio of castaway wild cows have returned home after being found on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where they apparently washed up after swimming for miles to escape Hurricane Dorian‘s storm surge. The Raleigh News & Observer reports that the cows were returned to their native stomping grounds on Friday after a two-day operation. 1 of 5 Wranglers capture one of the three wild cows on North Core Banks prior…

Jackson Fuller @StarNewsVarsity Monday Nov 25, 2019 at 12:46 PM The money from FEMA is designed to reimburse Brunswick County for public safety activities following the 2018 hurricane. DURHAM – FEMA and the state of North Carolina are granting nearly $1.3 million to reimburse Brunswick County for public safety activities following Hurricane Florence. FEMA previously approved more than $12.5 million for Brunswick County Hurricane Florence-related expenses. This funding brings the total to more than $13.8 million. Funds for this project…

Mark Hall Jr. of Rowland wins lottery (Photo: NC Education Lottery) ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — After suffering damage from hurricanes Matthew and Florence, Mark Hall Jr. of Rowland said he plans to use a $200,000 lottery prize to rebuild his home and his dream of going to school. “The home I’m living in was damaged by both storms,” Hall said. “We still have repairs to do. I’ll use some of the money for that,…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter The Cape Fear River floods the Battleship North Carolina parking on Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo: Monique Robinson/WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Battleship North Carolina will be closed Tuesday afternoon due to tidal flooding. The Battleship says the last ticket was sold at noon, according to a news release.Rising waters are expected to affect access to the Battleship starting around 1 p.m. – Advertisement – The release states high…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter NORTH CAROLINA (AP) — Tropical Storm Sebastien has formed in the Atlantic but is expected to stay over open waters. The storm’s maximum sustained winds Tuesday are near 45 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says some slight strengthening is possible but Sebastien is expected to be absorbed by a cold front in a few days. – Advertisement – The storm is centered about 275 miles northeast of the…

Hunter Ingram @HunterIngramSN Tuesday Nov 19, 2019 at 12:29 PM Operating hours could be affected over this week due to high tidal flooding WILMINGTON – High tidal flooding will force the Battleship North Carolina to close early Tuesday. The last admission ticket to the World War II battleship was sold at noon. Rising waters are expected to affect access to the Battleship starting about 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to Battleship North Carolina spokeswoman Stacie Greene Hidek. She added that high…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A tractor-trailer is hanging over a bridge on I-95 in Florence County. The wreck is near the 155 exit in the southbound lane in Florence County. Community members said a car on the road appears to have been involved in the crash. – Advertisement – Traffic is backed up for several miles up to the Timmonsville exit. Read more here. SHARE Facebook Twitter

James Chadwick gets fitted for a receives a hearing aid on November 7, 2019 (Photo By: Lakeeda Johnson / WWAY) WILMINGTON (WWAY) — A Wilmington man got fitted for hearing aids at no cost. James Chadwick was born deaf in one ear and gradually, hearing in his right ear declined. The sound being too loud isn’t something James Chadwick has dealt with lately. James lost a hearing aid during Hurricane Florence in 2018. – Advertisement…

Tyler Florence (Photo: Matt Harbicht/Verbatim Photo Agency) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Another Food Network star is coming to Wilmington to support the GLOW Academy. Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence is planning a visit in January to share his signature culinary style during three special events. – Advertisement – There will be an exclusive dinner for no more than 24 guests in a private home on January 23, and breakfast and lunch events both to be held…

Volunteers plant trees in front of Martin Luther King Center in Downtown Wilmington on November 2, 2019 (Photo By: Lakeeda Johnson / WWAY) WILMINGTON (WWAY)– The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and other organizations planted dozens of canopy trees in the areas Hurricane Florence destroyed. A spokesperson says it was the largest tree planting they’ve had. – Advertisement – She says prior to this tree planting, volunteers have already put trees on the Riverwalk, Greenfield…

A large swath of central North Carolina is under a tornado watch as a line of storms approach the region, which is under a Level 3 risk for severe weather.

A large swath of central North Carolina is under a tornado watch as a line of storms approach the region, which is under a Level 3 risk for severe weather.

A giant moon hanging above the CCB Plaza in Durham is already wowing crowds. But visitors won’t be able to see it on Halloween, organizers say.

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Storm damage from Hurricane Florence in North Carolina. (Photo: Ed Clemente / MGN) RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina legislators are aiming to locate more funds to help with the recovery from three recent hurricanes, with an emphasis on lessening damages in future storms. The House budget-writing committee voted on Wednesday for a bill that would allocate $257 million from state coffers for disaster recovery. Nearly $110 million would…

Strong thunderstorms will roll through North Carolina as a cold front moves in Tuesday afternoon. North Carolina’s biggest risk is storm damage, as gusts could reach 60 mph, meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter ROWLETT, TX (CBSDFW.COM) — A baby girl made her entrance into this world one week after her due date amid the sound of blaring tornado sirens and the soft glow of candlelight. The Bump Birthing Center in Rowlett welcomed the newborn in their laundry room Sunday night during storms that caused widespread damage in North Dallas, Preston Hollow and all the way across to Richardson, crossing the intersection of…

DALLAS (CBS)— Crews searched Monday through the rubble of buildings torn apart by a tornado that ripped through the Dallas area the night before, causing damage to homes and businesses and knocking out electricity to tens of thousands of people. Radar confirmed the tornado hit the ground near Love Field Airport and moved northeast through the city around 9 p.m. Sunday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Godwin. There were no reports of fatalities or…

Post Tropical Nestor (Photo: WWAY) MIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Tropical Storm Nestor (all times local): 8:35 p.m. – Advertisement – Former Tropical Storm Nestor has spread heavy rains over a large part of Georgia and triggered warnings for two potential twisters in the state. The National Weather Service issued two tornado warnings Saturday evening for southern Georgia. Radar indicated possible tornados in areas around Rhine, Georgia and Vienna, Georgia. But there was no…

The storm currently has 50 mph sustained winds as it prepares to make landfall near Florida, as of 11 a.m. Saturday. WILMINGTON — Hours after it makes landfall along the Florida coast, Tropical Storm Nestor is forecast to bring 2-4 inches of rain to the Cape Fear region starting late Saturday afternoon. The system, which developed into the 2019 hurricane season’s 14th named storm on Friday, began to lose its tropical features as it inched closer to making…

The storm currently as 50 mph sustained winds as it prepares to make landfall near Florida, as of 11 a.m. Saturday. WILMINGTON — Hours after it makes landfall along the Florida coast, Tropical Storm Nestor is forecast to bring 2-4 inches of rain to the Cape Fear region starting late Saturday afternoon. The system, which developed into the 2019 hurricane season’s 14th named storm on Friday, began to lose its tropical features as it inched closer to making…

Joey Chandler @ByJoeyChandler Tuesday Oct 15, 2019 at 3:17 PM Oct 15, 2019 at 3:19 PM Lane closures begin Wednesday BOILING SPRING LAKES — Replacements for a Brunswick County culvert damaged by Hurricane Florence start this month. Beginning Wednesday, the N.C. Department of Transportation will have intermittent lane closures on River Road (N.C. 133) in both directions as crews prepare to replace the failed culvert. A section of River Road will be closed to traffic while crews put in the new culvert starting Oct. 21…

Smith Creek park on Oct. 15, 2019. (Photo: Tamara Norman) NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — More than a year after Hurricane Florence, New Hanover County has been awarded more than $4 million in federal assistance to remove debris and sedimentation from streams and waterways. Through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, this will improve watersheds that were impacted by Florence debris, increasing water flow and reducing flooding threats to properties. – Advertisement – New Hanover…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Backstreet Boys wearing Carolina Hurricanes gear (Photo: Carolina Hurricanes/Twitter) RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) — Call it “a bunch of jerks” meets a bunch of hunks. If you want a lasting memory of when the Backstreet Boys came to Raleigh, you can now bid on the Carolina Hurricanes jerseys they wore during the show. Backstreet’s BACK (in red & black) Thanks for repping the #Canes & rocking @PNCArena, @backstreetboys! pic.twitter.com/MDEMFEnDDK —…