North Carolina

Sunday start of heat wave across central NC; rain possible later this week

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

Press Room

Sunday start of heat wave across central NC; rain possible later this week

Sunday is the start of a heat wave as high pressure builds over the East Coast, lasting through mid-week.

A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feels-like temperature will reach over 105 degrees.

A pop-up thunderstorm is possible in the afternoon, but ABC11 Meteorologist Steve Stewart said nothing widespread is expected. Heavier downpours and damaging gusts are a possibility, but more places will be dry.

The National Weather Service will likely follow suit with more heat alerts on Monday and Tuesday.

Looking Ahead

Later this week, a much stormier and more active pattern is expected to begin as a cold front that will sweep through the Midwest and Northeast.

This shift to wetter conditions will finally break our heat wave, resulting in temperatures that are expected to be well below the mid-July average of 91 degrees.

A few stronger thunderstorms could bring flood downpours, hail and damaging wind gusts to the viewing area Wednesday. The greatest threat to the Triangle is flash flooding.

There looks to be a chance of heavy rainfall Thursday and Friday. The skies remain unsettled with temperature highs straying below normal in the 80s.

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North Carolina

Stein announces $40 million in recovery, mitigation grants for Western North Carolina

Published

4 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Stein announces million in recovery, mitigation grants for Western North Carolina

MARION, N.C. (WTVD) — Gov. Josh Stein on Friday announced more than $24 million in mitigation grants and another $16 million for volunteer rebuilding organizations during a Western North Carolina Recovery meeting in Marion.

The funding supports longterm recovery from Hurricane Helene and is intended to help communities better withstand future natural disasters.

State officials said the mitigation grants will help local governments upgrade wastewater and water infrastructure, strengthen transportation systems, relocate facilities out of flood-prone areas, expand flood warning networks and develop shovel ready recovery projects. Nonprofit groups aiding families with home repairs and reconstruction will receive the volunteer-based grants.

“Western North Carolina is coming back strong from Hurricane Helene,” Stein said, adding that recovery requires cooperation among government, private and nonprofit partners.

North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said the grants reflect a “wholeofcommunity effort” to reduce risk and help towns rebuild stronger.

Over two dozen communities and organizations – including Conover, Hendersonville, Clyde, Marion, Black Mountain, Banner Elk and multiple county agencies – will receive funding for projects ranging from flood gauge installations to dam restoration and wastewater improvements.

WATCH | Hurricane Helene: One Year Later: WNC leans into its resilience, faith and hope

Hurricane Helene: One Year Later (1 of 26)

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North Carolina

Western NC gas prices increase, hovering around $3 a gallon amid war in Middle East

Published

16 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Western NC gas prices increase, hovering around a gallon amid war in Middle East

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Gas prices are hitting the highest level since September 2024, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

On Friday, March 6, western North Carolina drivers were already experiencing shock at the pump.

News 13 caught up with some drivers at a gas station in Henderson County, where the price per gallon was just a penny under $3, sitting at $2.99.

This comes as Tuesday marked the largest single-day jump at the pump since March 2022, according to ABC News, citing Gas Buddy sources.

REPORT: ASHEVILLE GAS PRICES RISE, MORE INCREASES EXPECTED AMID WAR IN MIDDLE EAST

Drivers we spoke with say they’re feeling the fuel costs climb and needless to say, they’re not too pleased.

“Here, it’s the first time I’m seeing the price that high,” said driver and Hendersonville resident Ricardo Martineati. “We don’t understand why the price is going up, but it is what it is. I hope it comes back to what it used to be pretty soon.”

MARCH 6, 2026 – A gas station in western North Carolina. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

Part of the reason for the gas price change is that crude prices surged 35% this week as Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route many oil producers use to get oil to market, ABC News reports.

Martineati knows it’s not much, but he says he’s got a strategy to save.

SEN. TED BUDD BACKS OPERATION EPIC FURY IN IRAN, WANTS TO AVOID ‘FOREVER WARS’

“Just try to slow down on the takeoff, on the coming to a stop to save some fuel, but that’s it,” Martineati said.

And with all this price pressure, he added that he’s picking a positive perspective.

“At least I’m not driving a diesel-fueled truck,” Martineati said.

While WNC hovers around $3 a gallon, depending on your location, the state is still below the national average of $3.30 a gallon, according to AAA.

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North Carolina

NC to receive nearly $70M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says $14M hasn’t arrived

Published

2 days ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

NC to receive nearly M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says M hasn’t arrived

MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Senator Tedd Budd’s office announced nearly $70 million in public assistance FEMA funds for Helene recovery toward the North Carolina Department of Transportation, cities and counties.

Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed.

Honeycutt estimates about $14 million in reimbursements from FEMA haven’t come through.

As for the $1.9 million just approved for Madison County’s emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement, Honeycutt said the county doesn’t have it yet.

NORTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE $70M IN ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDING AS NOEM FACES CRITICISM

“It’s coming back to our fund balance,” said Honeycutt. “And we know it will take six more weeks for it to get through the state and to the county.”

Honeycutt estimates that within six months, FEMA will resolve all reimbursements. He said debris removal jobs along the French Broad River have been delayed as FEMA continues to review the applications.

MARCH 5, 2026 – Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

In Marshall, the town has leased store spaces on Main Street, along with signs advertising leasing available. But longtime resident, artist and business owner Josh Copus is optimistic that Marshall and its community will thrive once again. He acknowledged that FEMA funds and reimbursements to clean up have been an important part of the area’s recovery.

MORE THAN $3.5M HEADED TO BURKE COUNTY FOR CONTINUED HELENE RECOVERY

“I would say our town is 50% fixed and our town was 100% destroyed, so 50% is pretty good,” Copus said.

The awards include:

Biltmore Forest: $2.5 million for debris removal reimbursement.
Buncombe County Sewage District: $1.57 million reimbursement for line repairs, vacuuming, line replacements and riverbank restoration.
Old Fort: $1.15 million Westerman Street Waterline for potable water reimbursement.
Mitchell County: $11.9 million for debris contractors, tipping fees and debris monitoring reimbursement.
Buncombe County: $3.5 million toward labor costs for 836 laborers during and after Helene reimbursement.
Asheville: $5.6 million for North Fork Treatment Plant repairs reimbursement.
Lake Lure: $1.48 million for lake safety repairs reimbursement.
Madison County: $1.9 million for emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement.

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