Officials are encouraging residents to take steps to prepare for extreme weather ahead of hurricane season. New data shows flood and wind risk is changing in the state.

Inland homes at risk for high winds, flooding during hurricane season. Here's what you can do now.

Holly Springs shed damage

More than a dozen former employees say understaffing at Brynn Marr Hospital contributes to what they describe as a dangerous place for patients and employees. Hospital officials say allegations of violence, sexual assaults, overmedication and lack of mental health therapy are unfounded.

Former employees say short-staffed NC psych hospital rife with violence, abuse

Brynn Marr Hospital

With Gov. Roy Cooper's phase one reopening starting Friday, many industries in North Carolina are starting to open back up and that includes tourism.

<b>WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C.</b> — With Gov. Roy Cooper's Phase 1 reopening starting Friday, many industries in North Carolina are starting to open back up and that includes tourism. Short-term rentals are allowed starting at 5:00 p.m. However, for residents coming from out of state, eligibility isn't certain.

Residents from states with stay-at-home orders and individuals who have visited those states in the last 14 day are not allowed to rent. Wrightsville Beach detailed the rules in a news release on Wednesday.

Some local beaches have reopened with restrictions, while others remain closed. Here's a look at what's open and what's not.



Jessica Patrick

List: NC beaches open with some restrictions in place 

Emerald Isle

"I think seeing other states do it first, you know Florida opening up their beaches and Atlanta doing the same thing opening up their city, I think Carolina has done a really good job and doing it slow and not allowing people to sit," said Brai Beckel owner of a rental property that will be rented out to those from out of town soon.

The states listed in the release are Arizona, New Hampshire, Ohio, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington D.C.

In South Carolina, Myrtle Beach will be gradually opening. Stating safety as a priority, Myrtle Beach area municipalities deemed that the time was right for a "soft opening." Most area lodging facilities are now allowed to take reservations beginning May 14.

As North Carolina beaches and many businesses in coastal towns reopen this weekend, residents said they hope it's the start of a successful summer vacation season.

PUBLIC WON'T SEE THE >>> MANY FAMILIES ARE LOOKING AHEAD THIS SUMMER AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE DURING A PANDEMIC. IN OUR EXCLUSIVE WRAL  NEWS POLL WE ASKED WHETHER PEOPLE HAD CHANGED OR CANCELED SUMMER VACATION PLANS BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS. 57 % SAID THEY HAD. 40 % SAID NO. WE ASK WHERE PEOPLE WOULD TRAVEL. 54 % SAID THEY WOULD NOT LEAVE THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT MEANS THE BEACH AND DIFFERENT BEACHES IN THE STATE HAVE DIFFERENT RULES AND DATES OF REOPENING. ONLY ON WRAL 5 ON YOUR SIDE SHOWS US WHAT VISITORS MAY EXPECT ON PLEASURE ISLAND. >> Reporter: HERE WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF MAY AND TYPICALLY IT WOULD BE BUSIER THAN THIS. NOT SINCE COVID-19. WHAT ABOUT THE SUMMER HIT? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? COMMUNITY LEADERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS SAY SUMMER AT THE BEACH AND NORTH CAROLINA 2020 WILL HAPPEN BUT IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. THE BEACH IS CALLING. PLENTY OF SIGNS MAKE IT CLEAR THIS SUMMER WILL BE UNLIKE ANY OTHER. >> IT'S A FLUID SITUATION. >> SHE'S THE MAYOR OF CAROLINA BEACH. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE BOARDWALK? >> WE ARE DISCUSSING HOW ANY ACTIVITIES MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN ON THE BOARDWALK. >> FOR NOW SOME RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN ONLY FOR PICKUP AND DELIVERY. HERE THEY ARE HOPING FOR FISHING. THE BEACH OPENED THIS WEEKEND WITH RULES AND THAT MAY NOT BE A SURPRISE. >> OUR LIFEGUARDS AND FIRE PEOPLE WILL BE OUT THERE PATROLLING THE BEACH TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCE. >> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN 25 YEARS OF BUSINESS THAT WE'VE BEEN CLOSED AND LAID OFF OUR EMPLOYEES. >> ONE OF MANY HOTELS, MOTELS AND VACATION RENTALS ORDERED CLOSED. >> WE PUT IN SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS. >> IF THE POOL CAN REOPEN -- >> CHANGING THE CHAIRS AROUND AND LIMITING PEOPLE. >> CONSTANT CLEANING AND IMPROVEMENT TO MAKE THINGS EASIER. >> WE NEED TO BLEACH EACH BED LINEN BETWEEN EACH PERSON COMING IN. >> SOME PLACES ARE USING THIS DOWNTIME TO REMODEL. EXTRA SEATING COULD BE IN A TENTED PARKING LOT. >> WE CAN SOCIAL DISTANCE OUT HERE. WE'VE GOT A PATIO UPSTAIRS. >> IT'S LIKE A HURRICANE EXCEPT IT'S LASTED FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS. >> LIKE THE REST OF US EVEN WITH SO MUCH UP IN THE AIR THEY ARE READY TO SOMEHOW GET THOSE FAMILIAR BEACH SIGHTS AND SOUNDS BACK IN BUSINESS. >> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SUMMER SEASON WILL LOOK LIKE. WE WILL GET THROUGH IT. IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT YEAR. >> THIS WEEKEND WILL BE THE TEST WHEN THE BAND ON SHORT- TERM RENTALS LEFT. PEOPLE WILL HOPEFULLY TRICKLE IN AND GIVE EVERYONE TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKS AND BY THE SUMMER THERE WILL BE A PLAN IN PLACE SO THAT EVERYONE CAN OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY AND SAFELY. MONICA LALIBERTE, WRAL  NEWS, 5 ON YOUR SIDE. >>> NORTH CAROLINA BEACHES ARE STARTING TO REOPEN TO OVERNIGHT VISITORS. LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL LIVE PICTURE WE ARE WATCHING FROM WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH. THEY ANNOUNCED THEY WILL ALLOW SHORT-TERM RENTALS WITH CONDITIONS. NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS ARE WELCOMED ONE THE STATE STAY-AT- HOME ORDER IS AT 5 PM. RENTERS FROM OTHER STATES ARE PROHIBITED FROM RENTING UNTIL THEIR STATES STAY-AT-HOME ORDER ENDS. THE OUTER BANKS WILL OPEN FOR NOT RESIDENTS ON MAY 16.

Monica Laliberte

Lauren DesArmo

Jenn Sorber Smith

Valerie Aguirre

5 On Your Side: Expect changes at NC beaches after coronavirus outbreak

Expect changes at NC beaches

Keely Arthur

Wrightsville Beach readies to welcome in-state vacationers

Wrightsville Beach

beach,coronavirus,coronavirus NC rebound,coronavirus economy,travel

A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun have the potential to create dazzling auroras that may be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California but also disrupt communications on Earth tonight and over the weekend.

Solar storms could create rare aurora displays, be visible in North Carolina this weekend

Northern lights in Pittsboro

Saturday will be a beautiful day with sunshine and mild temperatures around 74.


Sunshine & mild  temperatures: Perfect start to Mother's Day weekend🌺

Weekend planner

A Lee County teacher is facing several charges, including indecent liberties with a minor.

Lee County teacher arrested for alleged indecent liberties with minor

Lee County teacher charged with indecent liberties with a minor

A couple's breakup ended in a terrifying moment caught on a Ring doorbell camera.

On cam: Man says ex-girlfriend shot at him, tried to run him over in Fayetteville

On cam: Ring doorbell video captures violent interaction 

North Carolina's budget surplus is now expected to be approximately $1 billion, down from previous reports that have anticipated $1.4 billion.

NC's budget surplus will be $430 million less than expected, officials say

NC Sales Tax

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Severe risk for Friday 

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

Interstate 40 West is closed Friday after a crash along the interstate near Garner.

Sky 5 flies over I-40 West crash near Garner

Sky 5 flies over I-40 West closure after crash near Garner

Videos

The Carolina Hurricanes hope to keep their season alive in Game 4 of the second-round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Saturday night at PNC Arena.

With backs against the wall, Canes' resolve faces ultimate challenge

Rangers_Hurricanes_Hockey_78209

Wake County and Raleigh approved a financing plan to pay for upgrades at PNC Arena. The renovation project won't begin until next summer.

What's next for PNC Arena upgrade after city, county approve financing plan

Tip off as the Pack take on the Heels

The United States Golf Association has opened its new headquarters in Pinehurst, which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame.

USGA opens new headquarters in Pinehurst, showcasing historic golf artifacts

The United States Golf Association has opened its new headquarters in Pinehurst, which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame. Photo provided by USGA.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Robert Gasser allowed just two hits over six shutout innings in his major league debut and the Milwaukee Brewers trounced St. Louis 11-2 on Friday night to hand the Cardinals their sixth consecutive loss.

Gasser pitches 6 shutout innings in his debut as Brewers roll past slumping Cardinals 11-2

Cardinals_Brewers_Baseball_20901

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Friday night at the intersection of Rock Quarry Rd and Lyndhurst Drive in Raleigh. 

Wrightsville Beach readies to welcome in-state vacationers

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