Wilmington North Carolina News

Michael, now downgraded to a Tropical Storm is poised to move into North Carolina and the Triangle later this morning, bringing gusty winds of up to 60 miles per hour and could drop 2-5 inches of rain in the area.

Hurricane Michael, which brought devastation to the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, resulted in the relocation of the Powerball drawing.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A long time staple in the area has to close its doors, but managers of the Blockade Runner hope to bounce back soon. General Manager Nicolas Montoya said almost every room in the Blockade Runner suffered some type of damage from Hurricane Florence and says this is the fastest way they could fix the place up. – Advertisement – “It’s been quite a three week journey,” Montoya said. After more than…

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — As Hurricane Michael takes aim at the Carolinas, one of the area’s hardest hit by Florence is now preparing again. Just a few weeks ago, sewage-filled floodwaters covered the Cross Creek neighborhood in Hampstead. – Advertisement – “They’re drying out their houses now. They got dehumidifiers, fans. And now, worried that, is it just going to get wet again?” said Cross Creek resident Sarah Robles. Since the water receded, homeowners have…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With the recovery from Hurricane Florence just getting going in eastern North Carolina, the state is now waiting for another tropical strike in the form of Michael. The hurricane slammed into Florida’s Gulf Coast this afternoon as a high-end Category 4 storm. By late afternoon Michael was still a Category 3 hurricane as the eye moved into southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. – Advertisement –…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter (Photo; NC State Fair) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — One of the country’s largest state fairs is delaying its start as the remnants of Hurricane Michael pass through North Carolina. North Carolina State Fair manager Kent Yelverton said Wednesday the event won’t open as planned on Thursday. Yelverton says the fair will instead open Friday morning and run for 10 days instead of 11. – Advertisement – State Agriculture Department…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach (Photo: WWAY) WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, (WWAY) — Blockade Runner Beach Resort, a North Carolina landmark and icon of Wrightsville Beach for 55 years, announced Wednesday it will close for renovations due to damages sustained from Hurricane Florence. “We made the decision following several weeks of analysis and assessments with engineers and experts,” said Mary Baggett, co-owner and operator of the resort with her…

Troopers advise against driving through standing water deeper than an inch or two. All types of vehicles are vulnerable to being swept off the road by rushing waters, making the rescue by the Highway Patrol and other groups that much more difficult.

Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as a strong Category 4 hurricane, with winds 1 mph weaker than a Category 5 storm.

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wants state lawmakers to provide $750 million next week as part of a long-term $1.5 billion Hurricane Florence recovery package. The Democratic governor revealed his proposal Wednesday, saying the state needs a “unique and bold” response to a storm his office estimates caused almost $13 billion in damage — as much as hurricanes Floyd and Matthew did combined. – Advertisement…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina’s governor has declared a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Michael. The storm’s path is forecast to run through the state where many are still reeling after last month’s Hurricane Florence. – Advertisement – Gov. Roy Cooper said he’s called up 150 National Guard troops and lifted restrictions on trucks that could deliver supplies to the state. Click here to visit the WWAY Hurricane…

Email updates to breakingnews@starnewsonline.com. Schools, government and community closings and cancellations related to Hurricane Michael. SCHOOLS New Hanover County Schools will be closed for students on Thursday. Staff will have an optional teacher workday. Based on weather reports, NHCS plans to resume classes on Friday. *** All Brunswick County Schools will be closed to students and staff Thursday and Friday. For those needing emergency shelter, go to West Brunswick High School, 550 Whiteville Road, Shallotte. The…

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) — Gaining fury with every passing hour, Hurricane Michael closed in Wednesday on the Florida Panhandle with potentially catastrophic winds of 150 mph, the most powerful storm on record ever to menace the stretch of fishing towns, military bases and spring-break beaches. With more than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast warned to evacuate, the hurricane’s leading edge began lashing the white-sand shoreline with tropical storm-force winds, rain and…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Carlos Alfonso Jr. (Photo: Columbus Co. Sheriff’s Office) CHADBOURN, NC (WWAY) — A homicide investigation is underway after a body found in Chadbourn in the midst of Hurricane Florence has been identified as a missing man. The body identified by the N.C. Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh is 21-year-old Carlos David Alfonso Jr of Orrum. – Advertisement – According to a news release, Alfonso had been missing from Robeson…

Governor estimates total Florence damage at nearly $13 billion, what Matthew and Floyd caused combined.