Wilmington North Carolina News

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tropical Storm Laura has formed in the eastern Caribbean and forecasters say it could pose a hurricane threat to the U.S. Gulf Coast. A second system also may hit the U.S. as a hurricane or strong tropical storm after running across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The new tropical storm was centered about 210 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands Friday, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane…

Beach dunes flattened to the ground in Oak Island after Hurricane Isaias ripped through the community on August 3rd. (Photo: Tanner Barth, WWAY) OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY)–Oak Island was one of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Isaias nearly two weeks ago. According to the town, the storm flattened almost 80 percent of the ocean front dunes on the island. “Right now we’re looking at probably between 18 and 21 million dollars in damage,”says Oak…

Markers at Fort Fisher and in downtown Wilmington have fallen in the last month WILMINGTON – The three biggest enemies of the state’s highway historic marker program all struck within the last month in the Cape Fear. Hurricanes, lawnmowers and cars are the chief culprits of broken, damaged or fallen markers, the eye-catching silver plaques that sit atop posts all over the state detailing the historical significance of past residents and events. Seventy markers stand…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Bertie County tornado damage in August 2020. (Photo: WCTI) WINDSOR, NC (WCTI) — Just over two weeks ago, Hurricane Isaias spawned an EF-3 tornado in Bertie County, killing two people and destroying a mobile home community. The community on Morning Road is continuing its recovery, as remnants of homes sit on the side of the road with temporary campers taking their place. – Advertisement – Volunteers say they are…

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout Wednesday afternoon, and heavy downpours could cause flooding.

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Southport waterfront (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The 2020 Southport Inshore Challenge will take place this year with a few changes because of Hurricane Isaias. This is the first major tournament since flounder season opened. – Advertisement – Due to storm damage at the Southport Marina, registration will now be held at Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle on Long Beach Road or online until 8 p.m. Friday. Weigh-in…

Flooding after Hurricane Florence in Pender County (Photo: WWAY) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Pender Long Term Recovery Group will host a Hurricane Preparedness Drive-Thru Expo this weekend at two locations. Pender LTRG encourages you to prepare for the hurricane season, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. – Advertisement – The hurricane preparedness event will be a drive-thru pick-up with two locations within Pender County. Drive-thru locations are Topsail Baptist Church in Hampstead, 18885 US Highway…

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — At a Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday afternoon, leaders got an update on repairs to the Pender County Courthouse. Repairs still haven’t been completed nearly two years after Hurricane Florence damaged the historic building. According to Thomas Construction Group, almost all asbestos has already been removed. Work will soon begin on interior framing and laying a foundation for an elevator. The project is currently under the $4.5 million budget…

New book by Eric Jay Dolin looks at how hurricanes shaped U.S. history, with a number of Wilmington-area references sprinkled in When I was growing up, and on into the 1990s, old-timers seemed to date everything as BH or AH — before Hazel or after Hazel. Hurricane Hazel, the Category 4 monster that hit coastal North Carolina in October 1954 after killing as many as 1,000 people in Haiti, all but wiped out the town…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dry vegetation is fueling several California wildfires and forecasters are warning that the risk of new blazes erupting is very high as temperatures rise and humidity levels drop. A huge forest fire that prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles is still burning and just 12% contained. – Advertisement – It has charred 17 square miles of brush and trees. And there was no containment of…

Ocean Crest Motel in Oak Island works to repair an estimated $500,000 in damage after Hurricane Isaias (photo: Sydney Bouchelle/WWAY) OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The oceanfront Ocean Crest Motel in Oak Island has had a tough couple of years. In 2019, a devastating fire destroyed an entire building. The beginning of 2020 brought COVID-19, causing the motel to lose three months worth of income. – Advertisement – And now, Co-Owner Walter Lorgan says Hurricane…

Carolina Hurricanes practicing on July 13, 2020. (Photo: WTVD) TORONTO (AP) — Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour is keeping his mouth shut rather than risk another $25,000 fine from the NHL for criticizing officials. Brind’Amour provided a four-word answer, saying “Fortunately, nope. Moving on,” upon being asked whether he had anything more to add a day after calling the league “a joke.” – Advertisement – Brind’Amour was upset in criticizing how officials dealt with the…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Piles of storm debris left behind from Hurricane Florence in Pender County. (Photo: WWAY) PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Attorney General Josh Stein announced a settlement with an Idaho-based water damage restoration company over a price-gouging investigation he launched in 2019 in the wake of Hurricane Florence. “I’m pleased that my office was able to reach a settlement that prevents this company from imposing any further financial harm to…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Tropical Storm Josephine forms in central Atlantic on August 13, 2020. (Photo: WWAY) MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Josephine has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, making it the earliest “J-named” storm in a record-setting hurricane season. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami on Thursday morning said Josephine was located 975 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands. It was moving west-northwest with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph….