Hurricanes News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

How did we do? Revisiting the WRAL hurricane season forecast

Explore how WRAL's 2025 hurricane season predictions stacked up against reality. From unusual storm paths to local impacts, find out where the meteorologists hit the mark and where surprises lurked.

Raleigh police officer, locals try to reach family in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Raleigh police officer Raul Francis is awaiting word from his parents in Jamaica after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa left the island without power or internet. Jamaican native and Rocky Mount resident Zabdiel Dawar got good news Thursday, days after the storm hit. Dawar heard from her mother on Thursday.

North Carolinians stuck in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa passes through

Hurricane Melissa is battering Jamaica with winds at 150 mph, with several people from the Triangle stranded there until it passes. WRAL News takes an inside look at their experience and how resort staff are keeping vacationers safe.

Photos: Hurricane Melissa blows through Jamaica with catastrophic winds, flooding, storm surge

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall on Tuesday as the deadliest Category 5 storm to slam Jamaica.

Halifax couple celebrating anniversary in Jamaica asks for prayers after Hurricane Melissa

Wayne and Bridgette Todd were on their delayed honeymoon for their one-year anniversary in Jamaica when they learned Melissa would not only disrupt their fun, but also put them in the middle of a life-threatening situation.

Local couple rides out Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica on honeymoon

A local couple is supposed to be relaxing on their honeymoon. Instead, they're hunkered down in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa heads their way. They were supposed to return this Wednesday. But all flights in and out of the island have been cancelled.

Hurricane Melissa disrupts NC couple's storybook honeymoon in Jamacia

One year ago, Wayne and Bridgette Todd were newlyweds, celebrating their wedding surrounded by family and friends. Now, one year later, the couple from our area is spending their first anniversary hunkered down in Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, heads straight for the island.

Why almost all named storms have stayed out to sea this season

There are less than 50 days left for the 2025 hurricane season, and so far there have been 12 named storms and almost all have stayed out to sea. WRAL's Kat Campbell explains why.

Photos: Storms pound Outer Banks, some beachfront homes collapse

Photos captured in October 2025 show damage to Outer Banks homes in Buxton after a tropical system and nor'easter pounded North Carolina's coast. All photos courtesy of Donny Bowers.

Ask the Meteorologist: How often do tropical systems make a hard right turn from the East Coast?

The track of Imelda looks odd, doesn't it? We show you the storm that took an eerily similar and unique path.

Chris Michaels, WRAL meteorologist

Ask the Meteorologist: Why Imelda's path went from landfall to seabound

Imelda's path went from a projected South Carolina landfall to out-to-sea in a matter of a day. Why?

Chris Michaels, WRAL meteorologist

Weather Alert Day Q&A: Cold front brings Friday showers with 2 tropical systems in the Atlantic Ocean

Elizabeth Gardner and Grant Skinner performed a Facebook live on 9/26 to discuss the weekend's weather events and what's to follow next week. Waves of soaking rain are in the forecast for the next several days as a front brings increased scattered showers and storms. The potential storm (Imelda) is on track to approach South Carolina's coast this weekend and bring rain and flooding to central North Carolina by early next week.

Hurricane survival kit: How to keep your family safe when a storm hits

Having a hurricane survival kit prepared can help you and your family stay safe and comfortable if a hurricane hits.

Hurricane prep kit: Steps to take before the storms get here

5 On Your Side gathered a list of things to gather ahead of a hurricane so you can have the essentials on hand in case of a power outage or loss to critical infrastrucure.

Hillsborough park damaged by Chantal serves as a reminder to prepare for next storm

After weeks of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs following damage from Tropical Storm Chantal, Hillsborough town leaders have officially reopened Gold Park.

Ask the Meteorologist: What is the Fujiwhara Effect?

The Fujiwhara Effect is a rare meteorological phenomenon where two nearby cyclones rotate around each other. Learn how this interaction can impact weather patterns and storm behavior, and why it's crucial for forecasting.

Hurricane Helene by the numbers: A look at the damage to western NC

One year after Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina, the extent of the damage is becoming clearer.

Ask the Meteorologist: Why we might see an uptick in tropical activity soon

There is one key global factor that could lead to more tropical development in the coming weeks.

Chris Michaels, WRAL meteorologist

Trump administration approves $32M for Chantal recovery

The approval comes a little more than a month after Gov. Josh Stein asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a public assistance disaster declaration to increase the federal relief dollars.

WRAL News staff reports

Ask the Meteorologist: The climatological peak of hurricane season is oddly calm. Why?

Colorado State researchers found 2025 to be only the 2nd year since 1950 with no Atlantic activity during Aug 29-Sept 16.

Chris Michaels, WRAL meteorologist

Teaching resilience as NC faces stronger storms

North Carolina schools are using the "Ready, Set, Resilience" program to help students build skills to handle life's challenges, including natural disasters.

Lessons in resilience: NC program teaches children how to cope with disasters

North Carolina schools are using the "Ready, Set, Resilience" program to help students build skills to handle life's challenges, including natural disasters.

Hurricane Erin underscores beach erosion issues in Rodanthe

Rodanthe has had 11 homes collapse into the Atlantic Ocean in the last five years.

NC Highway 12 on Hatteras reopens after Hurricane Erin's impact on Outer Banks

N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island reopened Saturday post-Hurricane Erin, with a staged reentry for locals, property owners, employees and, afterwards, visitors.

Severe erosion, no timeline for tourist return to Outer Banks after Hurricane Erin

Gov. Josh Stein toured the Outer Banks to assess Hurricane Erin's damage, noting that while some areas experienced significant property damage, North Carolina "dodged a bullet" with no reported loss of life. State and local leaders are now focused on repairing and reopening N.C. Highway 12