Tropical Storm Erin formed Monday in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, just west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Erin was about 280 miles (451 kilometers) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph), the NHC said. It was moving west at about 20 mph (32 kph). The National Hurricane Center expects Erin to remain tropical storm through the early portion of the week, intensifying into a hurricane by…

The State Department of Transportation received national recognition. On Saturday, the department announced in a post on Facebook it was awarded Best Project and Best Overall Winner for its effective coordination during Helene at the National Operations Center of Excellence Awards. The department was also recognized for using its advanced flood-warning system to position crews and provided critical safety information on DriveNC.gov.

When heavy rain hit the Town of Spring Hope this week, Mike Gordon said floodwaters cut off the only entrance into his Walnut Cove housing development. “We were all stuck. We could not get out. This past time was the worst one,” said Gordon.  The Spring Hope resident of two years blames poor grading and clogged storm drains in his new subdivision for yard erosion and added runoff.  “They kind of just threw the houses…

People living and working in Durham’s Cornwallis Road Community, which is run by Durham Housing Authority, say sinkholes and flooding in the area have become a major hazard.  Cars are forced to park in the street due to flooding in the parking lots. There are over 9 reported sinkholes, the largest nearly the size of a football field. Residents told WRAL News that rain similar to what central North Carolina experienced on Wednesday and Thursday…

During Wednesday’s severe weather, several roads in Wake County flooded, creating issues for the evening commute. Olive Chapel Rd in Apex flooded, and the street collapsed under the weight of the water, creating a sinkhole. According to NCDOT, the road will be closed until November. People living near the sinkhole tell WRAL this is the worst flooding that they have seen, even worse than Hurricane Helene and tropical depression Chantal.  “ It’s fairly common when…

Jayden Martin remembers the storm well. The Person County student was home, on the property he shares with his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, when Chantal rolled through in early July. “It was tough,” Martin said.  Chantal brought torrential rain, and high winds. Flash flooding blocked the family’s driveway, cutting them off from the outside world. When those waters finally receded, Martin found a maze of washouts on roads in nearly every direction.   A month…

Reports of fallen trees and crashes accompanied heavy rain falling across the Triangle on Wednesday, a WRAL Weather Alert Day. Much of the area is under a flood watch all day. Live updates 8:50 a.m.: Traffic is at a standstill on Interstate 40 East in Raleigh after a crash near Exit 299 for Hammond Road. One person was transported to a hospital. The crash has since cleared. 8:30 a.m.: The Durham Police Department posted photos…