In the last of three parts, we take a look at how hurricane forecasting, state planning for emergencies and building codes have changed since Hazel hit 60 years ago today.
Special Reports
Hazel: The Benchmark Hurricane
In the second part of the storm’s 60th anniversary series, we relive Hurricane Hazel with survivors from Brunswick, New Hanover and Carteret counties.
Hurricane Hazel 60 Years Later
Sixty years ago this week, the most powerful hurricane to strike North Carolina devastated much of our coastline. In the first of three parts, we relive Hazel with people who lived through the landfall.
Hogs After Floyd: Nothing’s Changed
Hog lagoons flooded after Hurricane Floyd and state officials made many assurances to change the way hog waste is treated. Fifteen years later and nothing much had changed.
The Legacy of Hurricane Floyd
North Carolina’s worst natural disaster and costliest hurricane made landfall 15 years ago this week. In the first of two parts, we take a look at the legacy Floyd left in its wake.
What’s Next for the Sutton Plant?
Heavy metals from coal-ash ponds at the Sutton power plant near Wilmington continue to contaminate groundwater. As the state steps up coal-ash management, what’s next for the high-risk plant?
Catlin Defends Changes to Coal Ash Bill
Rep. Rick Catlin of New Hanover County and the N.C. House have come under fire for amendments that opponents say weaken a bill to clean up coal ash ponds.
Arthur Spares N.C. Coast
The hurricane was too small and too fast-moving to do any lasting damage on its Fourth of July sprint up the coast.
CRC Chairman Avoids Climate Dust Up
The chairman of the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission defused a potentially explosive issue in the sea-level rise debate by appointing a respected geologist to the CRC’s panel of science advisers.
Should We Be Freaking Out?
Two studies about the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and the four-foot rise in sea level that could result grabbed screaming headlines. Just more media hype? Unfortunately, this is real.
Sutton Ponds: An Open-Ended Priority
In the last of two parts, we’ll uncover what is being done to clean up the two million tons of toxic coal ash that leaks slowly from unlined ponds at the Sutton power plant outside of Wilmington.
Sutton Ponds: A Looming Threat?
The two coal ash ponds at the L.V. Sutton power plant near Wilmington are leaking heavy metals into the groundwater and a nearby lake. We’ll take the next two days to describe what’s in the old ponds and what Duke Energy plans to do about it.
CRC Limits Sea-Level Rise Study to 30 Years
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission yesterday directed its scientific advisors to limit their new study of sea-level rise to how high the ocean might get 30 years in the future, not 100 years.
Sutton Ponds High on Clean-Up List
With the N.C. General Assembly session just a few weeks away, the prospect of a coal ash bill appears likely. The Sutton power plant near Wilmington is considered a priority for clean-up plans.
Feds Widen Probe of Coal Ash Ponds
The U.S. attorney in Raleigh issued more subpoenas that widened the probe of the state’s oversight of all toxic coal ash ponds, including three near Wilmington.
Controversial Movie Shows at UNCW
“Shored Up,” a documentary about our response to rising seas, was too hot for the state’s science museum, but it will show next week at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
