ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - April 19, 2026

Episode Date: April 20, 2026

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See what's happening this instant. ABC 11 eyewitness news starts right now. All right now at 11 living in a drought in less than 24 hours. New water restriction rules are set to go into effect for people living in and around Raleigh. And we are seeing the signs of that drought already, just nearly everywhere, including at our local lakes. You see this fisherman here at Falls Lake standing in some pretty shallow water there at the lake. You're watching eyewitness News at 11 on this Sunday evening.

Thank you so much for choosing us tonight. tonight I'm Dewan Hoggard. Now tonight, I witness news continues to count down to new restrictions on water usage in the city of Raleigh. City leaders hoping the rules will help with the ongoing drought. And it's not just a Raleigh bracing for that change. The water restrictions also impacting towns who get their water from the city. That includes Garner, a Wake Forest, a Roseville, Nightdale, Windell, Zebulin, all of those towns here. Now, we do have live team coverage for you tonight. Tom George is in Raleigh talking with folks about those restrictions, but let's go and start our time together with meteorologist Cruz Medina.

Now Cruz, this dry spell, it is sticking around. However, from what we know, that hot weather seems to be moving out for a little bit. Absolutely. So if we compare our tipters to this exact time yesterday, so 11 p.m. last night, we are running 25 degrees colder in the city of Raleigh than this time yesterday. And this is the case across the region. So into the Virginias and South Carolina, Georgia, also seeing that cooler weather moving in. So the front that brought us some light showers for parts of Central North Carolina earlier today.

You could see that front is down to our east. So that's indicated by the cloud cover pushing off of our coast right now. And so skies are clearing out and our winds are out of the northwest. And why that's significant is because it's coming in from a colder air mass. And so tonight, temperatures are going to drop all the way into the upper 30s and low 40s. Needless to say, it is going to be a chilly start to your day as we start off a new work week. So parents sending your kids to the bus stop tomorrow. you might want to send them with a light jacket as tipters will be in the upper 30s, low 40s for the morning hours.

At least it's going to be sunny, but that's not going to help much in the morning. By the afternoon, feeling a little bit better. So we will see the cloud cover increase, but tipter should top out in the upper 60s in some areas, while others of us could hit around 70 degrees. So, Raleigh, your high is 70 around 4 p.m. tomorrow, Fayetteville, 74, and 66 up in Roxburgh. Now, as we start this new week, rain chances are looking slim to none going forward. So if we compare our average rainfall to what we have seen so far this month, we've only seen about 5% of that average so far. So we are well behind on rainfall, our deficit dates all the way back to the fall. And so we could really use some rain.

Looks like there's at least one day in the seven-day forecast that could provide that for us. We'll talk about that coming up in just a few minutes. DeWan, back to you. All right, Chris, we'll see you again shortly. Now as those drought conditions continue to become worse, water restrictions for O'Raleigh water customers are set to begin tomorrow. Now the last time Rale implemented water restrictions was back in 2007. Hourness News, we went back into our archives finding this video for you of what Falls Lake looked like then compared to the lake levels we have now. While Falls Lake is down right now, it's not as low as it was some 16 years ago when parts of the lake were nearly bone dry as you see there.

Our Tom George spinning the day at Falls Lake today. He joins us live now in Raleigh. Tom, good evening to you. I mean, you had a chance to talk to some folks there at the lake. How are they reacting? What have they shared with you about these new restrictions? Yeah, they say it has been very shallow there at Falls Lake. Now, here's the thing. There is enough water for Raleigh, but the concern is as we head to a continuous dry summer, they want to impose these restrictions now to avoid tougher restrictions later. At Falls Lake, from fishing off of a shallow ledge to a picnic next to a shrinking shoreline, signs of the drought are everywhere. I mean, not having rain recently has been a little bit hard just like four allergies, but also because the land kind of feels just a little bit more dead around here.

These guys going fishing today can't remember being able to walk this far out before casting a line. I used to drive by Jordan Lake when it got low a few years ago, so it's kind of bringing me back memories to that. But other than that, we just need a little bit of rain. But because of those drought conditions, Raleigh Water now officially in stage one starting to tomorrow. So it is a really unusual drought and so we're responding in a proactive way, which means we're implementing stage one water use restrictions, which are largely focused on irrigation. So that is typically a big demand increase for us starting in April and going through the summer. So we're trying to curb some of that demand. So what does that mean?

Well, handheld watering, swimming pools, and car washes are still allowed. But for automatic sprinklers in your yard, that's allowed between midnight and night. 10 a.m. And on what days depends on whether you have an odd or an even address. Odd numbers on Tuesday, even numbers on Wednesdays. They're also asking restaurants to only serve tap water when someone asks, and they're urging hotels to have guests staying more than one night, reused towels and bed sheets. Some say they already try to do their part to save water. Oh, for sure. Yeah. I mean, if we can, like, hand washing dishes and turning off the sink as much as possible and just kind of scrubbing ourselves because honestly, sometimes using the dishwasher uses more, but sometimes

panwashing can use more than dishwasher. So it really just kind of depends. Showers pretty much like in and out. Yeah, just asking everybody to do their part. And it's not just the water situation being impacted by this drought because of how dry it is. There is also a burn ban in effect until further notice. Reporting live in Raleigh, Tom George, ABC 11. I would this news. All right, Tom again. Thank you. And with those, changes coming in the forecast and the ongoing drought now is a good time to download the ABC 11 mobile app we will send you all of the weather headlines directly to your devices you can also check the first Lord Doppler net and the seven day forecast anytime you'd like all right now at 11 Raleigh police have released new details about a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night in the walnut trace neighborhood our crew was there as Raleigh police responded to the area we're told 36 year old tyrone van dyke was shot around eight o'clock he was taken to the hospital where he later died. The shooter, 42-year-old Dante Young was arrested and found with a gun that police believe was used in that shooting. Young has since been charged with murder, and police say the two

men knew each other and were involved in an altercation before the shooting. In Durham, a 17-year-old boy is dead after being hit and killed Saturday evening. Police say it happened just before 9 o'clock at the intersection of Coal Mill Road in West Windham Lane. Investigators say the teen was riding a bike when he was hit by a car on Coal Mill Road. Police have not released any details about the teen or the driver involved. We're also still working to learn if any charges will be filed. Also in Durham, multiple people are out of their homes tonight after a fire broke out in the basement. This is the 1100 block of West Murray Avenue.

Firefighters say when they first got to the house, they saw smoke coming from the back of the home. They later learned the fire was in the basement area. Crews were able to put that fire out and thankfully everyone in the house was able to make it out safely. Well, new details tonight in a Chapel Hill shooting that sent one person to the hospital. It happened earlier this month at an apartment complex in the 200 block of Westminster Drive. Police say when they got there, they found a man who had been shot. He was taken into a hospital and it's expected to be okay. 22-year-old Jose Flores was arrested and charged in connection to the shooting.

He's facing more than 20 charges, including attempted murder. He's being held at the Orange County Detention Center without bond tonight and is expected to make his first court appearance tomorrow. Well, now to a disturbing story out of Shreveport, Louisiana. Eight children found shot and killed when authorities are calling a domestic disturbance. ABC's Alison Kosick has more tonight on this tragic incident. Tonight, a community shocked and a family devastated after a deadly shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. Police say eight children were shot and killed.

The suspect in this case, this is an early domestic incident. The suspect shot the mother of the child for children first. They responded to this location and shot eight children, seven of which being his own. Investigators say the shooting unfolded around 6 a.m. local time across multiple locations. One scene described by police as gruesome. The victims, children, three boys and five girls, ranging in age from three to 11. There was an additional deceased child that looked like he had tried to escape the residents out the back on the roof. Authorities say the children's mother and another woman are fighting for their lives tonight.

The alleged gunman identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins killed following a police chase. Neighbors distraught hearing the news. We don't know what has happened, but we know it's still a guard above and we need prayer. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents the district where the shooting took place, offered prayers for the victims and their families. This is totally an unprovoked circumstance involving eight children. It lets you know that evil still exists in the world. Allison Kosick ABC News, New York.

Well, next at 11, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz. Peace talks between the U.S. and Iran are in limbo again after the White House says the U.S. military seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship. And the Dogwood Festival returns to Fayetteville this upcoming week, what you'll want to know and need to know before heading out to the big of it. Let's go ahead and bring back crews into the conversation with how things are looking outside. All right, well, it's a bit chilly out there right now, and it's going to get even colder tomorrow morning. But Tuesday morning, there's actually the potential of frost. So we haven't seen that in a while. Thankfully, it's not a freeze, but some of you might be covering up your plans.

We'll talk more about it coming up in your seven-day forecast. Don't miss the devil wears product too in theaters. Merrill Street, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci are back. In light of the recent scandal, I'm here to restore your credibility. I did not hire you, and all I need to do is bide my time until you've failed. On May 1st, icons. I'm going to make something of this job. Rain.

The bridges I burn. Night my way. Forever. I just love my job. Get tickets now. The devil wears Prada 2. In theater's May 1st, directed by David Frankel. Well, tonight, tensions in the Middle East escalating.

President Donald Trump says the U.S. forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that was trying to avert the naval blockade near that critical waterway. The Pentagon releasing this video of that operation, it all comes just hours. after the president announced a second round of peace talks on Monday in Pakistan. Officials there were preparing for the arrival of delegations from both the U.S. and Iran. Ian Panel, ABC's chief foreign correspondent, has the latest tonight from Tel Aviv. Tonight, as critical new talks between the U.S. and Iran hang in the balance,

the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz escalating. This dramatic video released by CENTCOM showing the moment U.S. forces attacked a ship that defied orders to turn. around. Sentcom saying the vessel ignored repeated warnings over a six-hour period. Officials say more than two dozen ships have turned round as a result of the blockade. President Trump posting that U.S. forces have fired on and seized an Iranian flag vessel that tried to get past the American blockade and ignored warnings to stop, writing, the Iranian crew refused to listen. So our Navy ships stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Right now, U.S. Marines

have custody of the vessel. comes one day after Iran fired on two Indian registered ships near the Strait of Hormuz, the captain of one sending this angry radio message in audio obtained by ABC News. SEPA Navy, this is Motoring a son-Mahedald. You gave me clearance to go. My name second on your list. You gave me clearance to go. You are fighting now. Let me turn back. And now uncertainty over planned peace talks in Islamabad tomorrow. Hours after President Trump announced that a high-level U.S. deliote, was headed to Pakistan, Iran State News Agency reported that Tehran rejects taking part in talks

and that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports is violating the ceasefire. The impasse comes with time running out on the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, scheduled to expire Wednesday. And unfortunately, we'll have to start dropping bombs again. This morning, President Trump doubling down on his threats, telling our John Carl that a peace deal will get done one way or another, the nice way or the hard way. It's going to happen. You can quote me.

And tonight's Pakistan trying to bring the U.S. and Iran together. Prime Minister Shebaas Sharif speaking by phone with Iran's president, Masood Peschkin, but it's still not clear if talks tomorrow will happen. Ian Panoll, ABC News. Well, now to the Sand Hills tonight, we are looking ahead to Fayetteville's annual Dogwood Festival happening next weekend. The festival is celebrating its 44th year, and it's a free community event at festival park there in downtown. It features classical carnival rides, live performances, and arts and crafts vendors for folks of all ages.

The festival runs April the 24th through the 26th. ABC 11 is a proud sponsor. And we do want to remind you of the annual ALS walk. Registration is open for anyone who wants to join the ABC 11 Stogner Strong team. The ALS walk takes place next Saturday, April the 25th at Halifax Mall there in downtown Raleigh. and we hope to see you there. So a lot of fun on that event is for the ALS walk. And look, so this weekend, what we were in the 90s yesterday, it was much cooler today.

So if we're looking and taking a look at the seven day, how do things look for next weekend, both Fayetteville and Rolley? Well, I'd say next weekend is actually looking pretty good. Tipgers are going to be a little warmer than what we had throughout the day today, Dwan. And so obviously, tipgers have cooled down pretty significantly throughout the past 24 hours.

So I was mentioning to this at the top of the newscasts, and you can see tipters are running about 20 degrees cooler than they were at this time yesterday. And going forward, we're actually going to see the tipters stay cool as we start off the day tomorrow. So that's what you're stepping out the door to is going to be some cooler tipter's, and then we're eventually going to see those tipters rebound. So going forward, we will actually see highs in the 70s for tomorrow.

And then as we go into midweek, we're expecting tipters to warm back up into the 80s. So if you're missing the warmth, we have that on the way in the forecast. It's just going to take a few days for it to finally get here. Now let's recap these morning lows. So Tuesday is going to be your coldest of the week. 39 degrees in Raleigh, that means some of the outside or outlying communities, I should say, could actually be down in the mid-30s. And so you only need tipters to be below 37 degrees to get frost under ideal conditions.

Now through the rest of the week, obviously it's going to be much warmer and frost will not be a concern at that point. First alert predictor through tonight we have clearing skies. Tipgers will be in the upper 30s, low 40s as you step out the door tomorrow with sunshine. Then by the afternoon, we will see a batch of clouds moving in. Tipgers will stay on the cool side. Again, a few degrees below average, but a little closer to our normal. So those 90s that we had, those were definitely outliers last week and even Saturday when we hit 93. tomorrow if you're watching from the sand hills, those will be the warmest spots in the low 70s.

The triangle, you're nearing 70 for that high tomorrow. And then our northern counties, you only make it into the mid-60s. Those will also be the coolest spots starting the day tomorrow. Now, throughout this week, we've been talking about these drought conditions. We've been talking about water restrictions that go into effect tomorrow for some communities. But rain chances are not looking great this week. So you can see that chance of zero all the way until next weekend. So if we're lucky, Sunday, that's when our next front comes in and everything has to line up perfectly for us to get a decent rain.

But it's looking like we could at least see some scattered showers, maybe a few embedded storms next Sunday. So will that end the drought? Absolutely not, but it's a step in the right direction. So at this point, we're kind of desperate for rain. There are several of our counties, including parts of Wake, Durham, Vance, Granville, Warren counties, North Hampton, Halifax, Edgecombe County. These are just to name a few that are under extreme drought conditions. The rest of the state is under severe drought conditions. So again, we desperately need some rain, but with high pressure hanging around, not only is that going to keep our tipter is a little cooler to start the week,

but also is going to keep us dry. So Tuesday, we're expecting some areas of frost in the morning. The afternoon is pleasant in the upper 60s. By the time we get into Wednesday, we're warming up again just a few clouds, and tipter should be in the 80s by then. That's the start of a warm up that's going to linger all. the way through next weekend. Now if you're just joining, this is a live look at downtown Raleigh from our Pindo Skycam. It is 53 degrees right now, but some areas like Roxborough

have already dropped into the 40s for tonight. And our lows will continue to drop farther. So upper 30s, low 40s heading out the door again tomorrow. A little cooler in our northern counties, mid-60s there, but you could be in the mid-70s in areas like Fayetteville. Your first alert seven-day forecast shows the middle to upper 80s Wednesday all the way through next weekend. You could see the chance of rain. Once again, that's mainly going to come next Sunday. Tipper's will drop from the 80s to 70s then. But to DeWan's point, we have the ALS walk. And so it should be nice and warm for that. Morning tipters in the 60s, afternoon highs in the 80s. Dwan, back to you. All right, Cruz, many thanks. We'll make it the next seven days. Well, up next, honoring and protecting

the planet. Look at some of the Earth Day celebrations happening here in the triangle and across the country. Well, this Tuesday, during Mayor Leo Williams, will lay the vision for the future of the Bull City as he will make his state of the city address. He's expected to talk about a variety of topics, including some of the big initiatives happening across the city. It's also going down at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Doors will open at 5 o'clock tomorrow evening, or that evening, rather, that is, and the event starts there at 6. And speaking of Durham, the annual Earth Day Festival was held in downtown Durham, put on by the Parks and Rec Department. It was held at Durham Central Park. There was a live music there, family activities,

vendors, even an Earth Day parade you see here, and our very own Cruz Medina served as emcee of that festival. Well, National Geographic also celebrating Earth Month, the organization held a celebration at the Labreitar Pits in Los Angeles with the Wonderlist experience where guests were invited to explore nature through the iconic Net Geo Yellow Borders. Host Piper Curda, the voice of Mabel and Pixar's Hoppers, explained why connecting with nature is so important. I think connecting with nature makes you a little more human.

I think it reminds you of things that are smaller than you, and it reminds you of things that are bigger than you. And being reminded of those things, I think, makes you a more caring and empathetic person. And we could always use more of those. National Geographic's The Wonder List Experience is open to the public through April the 23rd. Disney and Pixar's Hoppers is in theaters right now. Well, coming up, the Carolina Hurricanes are on their journey to win the Stanley Cup.

And although the team did not practice on the ice today, they did, however, take notes from game one. Up next, how head coach Rod Brenda Moore says the team is getting ready for tomorrow's matchup. Hills like home. Belvers say Pittsburgh is the perfect place for Disney's newest residential community.