ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - July 22, 2026

Episode Date: July 23, 2026

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Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, preparing you for tomorrow starting tonight and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. Right now at 11 tracking heavy rain and the possibility of some flooding tonight. The rain really coming down in parts of Central North Carolina. This is video from Durham. You can see those are some pretty soggy streets there. The wipers are going and the rain continues to fall.

Take a look at this time lapse video of the weather as it came in this evening over both Raleigh and Durham, and the worst is yet to come. A flood watch is in effect for the entire viewing area through tomorrow evening as the risk for flooding continues to increase. We also have the potential for flash flooding that we need to be on the lookout for. The rainfall totals two to four inches potentially in many areas. And we could have some pretty heavy rain tomorrow morning when you're driving to work. Thanks for joining us here for the news at 11. I'm Steve Daniels.

And I'm Lauren Johnson. And it's been a really busy day for our first alert weather teams. If your weather systems could bring some heavy rain and the potential for that flash flooding in some areas. As we follow these worsening weather conditions, we have live coverage for you tonight. Tom George is tracking the storms in Durham. But first, let's get right over to Steve Stewart, who is filling in for down tonight. Steve, these storms could really impact the morning commute. Oh, yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, where it sets up, I mean, you're going to get ponding on the roadways and it's going to slow everybody down. So give yourself extra time early tomorrow morning. Again, the flood watch basically all the way through the day tomorrow and the evening hours as well. It doesn't mean the entire area is going to be raining the whole time. But when a band sets up, it's really going to come down. And we're seeing that right now. Up the 85 quarter, pockets of very heavy rain. A little bit of lightning, really low severe thread.

That's pretty much backed off. This is really a flooding concern. See that red box out here by the triad? It's been raining there for hours. That is a flash flood warning that's in effect. And you can already see the verification. Many areas have picked up between two to four inches of rain just this evening. And that band is heading in our direction.

And slowly as that settles to the south, we could get heavy rain like that as well. The North America model just updated suggesting over three inches of rain. A lot of the models for today and tomorrow are in that one to two inch range or so. Our in-house model a little bullish, but easily, as you can see that we can pick up that two to four inches of rainfall. Our model keeps the rain showers around heavy and then pushes it to the south. That's around 6, 7 o'clock in the morning. Don't take it literally the timing or position. But just know as the day goes on, that heavy rain will continue pushing to the south.

It's wet out there right now with some showers around. North Hills at 76 degrees. But look at the spread, low 70s north 80s down in the sand hills right now. More rain around tomorrow night, maybe Friday too. We'll talk more about that coming up in the 7th day forecast. Okay, Steve, we'll see you soon. Take a look at this heavy rain coming down in Durham tonight as a flood watch is in effect and the risk of flooding does increase, as Steve said through the day tomorrow.

Tom George joins us live from the storm chaser near the town of Rougemont. Tom, what are you seeing out there tonight? Yeah, guys, it is definitely coming down right now. We're heading down 501 south. We just crossed back into Durham County from Person County. But it has been coming down really hard where we are right now. You can hear the tires going. You can hear the wipers. I want to flip the camera around and show you what we're seeing. So this is our point of view right now. photojournalist Patrick Priest behind the wheel, but you can see the wipers on full blast right now. It is really coming down. It has been like that, both from downtown Durham, where we started all the way up to Roosemont, into person county where we are right now. Of course, at nighttime, it's already dark on this stretch of road on 501, so pretty treacherous conditions as the rain

continues to come down right now. Very few cars on the road. So definitely want to watch out, especially as you head into the night, if you are heading out onto the roadways. as we mentioned, pretty wet conditions out on our roadways. Again, actively coming down right now where we are right now, both in person county and in Durham County. We're going to continue to monitor these conditions as we head into the night. But rain not stopping here anytime soon, guys, reporting live. Tom, George, ABC 11, I would have sues. Tom, thank you, and it's not raining quite yet in Raleigh, but that will be changing in the hours ahead. Yeah, Jemis Price has been in Raleigh. She's talking to farmers in Central North Carolina, who are hoping that this heavy rain could cause an improvement to the ongoing drought.

Jamice? The recent rain actually fell at the perfect time for us. Joshua Logan owns and operates grasshopper farms in Nightdale. The rain has provided some relief as he starts the growing season for his corn crop. Ideally, we'd love to have about an inch of rain per week on average through the remainder of the growing season. Joshua knows what is like to wait on rain. We walked through a strawberry field back in April. At that time, growers were in the thick of the drought.

Once you get into multiple weeks of dry weather, that's where the plants really start to experience fatigue. Now he's worried there could be new challenges. The rain's been coming really heavily when it's fallen, and so that's always a little bit of a challenge in the fields. It can cause wash out. We're going to be watching our water levels for probably for the first, the foreseeable future. Also keeping a close eye on the rain, Ed Buckin, assistant director at Raleigh

Water. He says over the past two weeks, water levels at Falls Lake increased by nearly seven inches, but we're not out of the woods. It's still over five feet down below full pool. So we have a long ways to go, but it is a positive turn of events and that we seem to be getting more regular rain. Buckin says the recent rain has reversed a month-long trend, but the rain must fall. in three places to continue in this direction. If it rains really anywhere in Raleigh, it's not impacting Falls Lake. But that only happens if it rains in Durham and Granville counties in Northern Wake. So it's a positive sign.

Meanwhile, farmers like Joshua are hoping the rain hits the right spots. Us farmers, we want it to rain just the right amount at just the right time. And we're here in Wake Forest, the northern part of Wake County, where the rainfall that we are seeing now and expect over the next few days will certainly make a major impact over at Falls Lake where the water supply right now is at 66%. In Wake Forest, Jimmy's Price, ABC 11 eyewitness. Yeah, we feel for Joshua. We've been living through the growing season with him, and he's trying to find the sweet spot between the drought and all this rain now. Jimmy, thank you.

And with rain and storms expected for much of the week, and now is a very good time to download the ABC11 mobile app. We'll send you any watches or warnings directly to your devices. In Durham, we had Chopper 11 flying over a massive fire at a car repair business on Hillsborough Road. Firefighters called there to the scene about 2 o'clock this afternoon. And when they arrived, they found several vehicles burning inside the garage. At one point, the roof collapsed. More than 65 Durham firefighters worked to bring it under control. The Durham Fire Department says the people inside did get out safely.

The cause of that fire remains under investigation. Today, dozens of community advocates went to the legislature protesting. immigration practices by ICE agents and to honor people who've died in ICE operations. It comes after two people died in Texas and Maine earlier this month. Demonstrators also calling on North Carolina lawmakers to stop the expansion of ICE detention centers and offices by the federal agency. Currently, ICE has several field offices in North Carolina, but no long-term detention facilities here. The demonstrators also demanded lawmakers not cooperate with ICE agents in North Carolina.

Everyone knows calling 911 can save lives, but did you know that you? you can also text your emergency to 911. Both Raleigh Police and the Way County Sheriff's Office can get your text message in their 911 center. And last night, it may have saved lives during a standoff at a home in East Raleigh. Tom George doing double duty for us tonight and has more on that program. A terrifying situation playing out inside a home in East Ralee Tuesday, police surrounding this home for hours after a man inside was allegedly threatening a woman and holding kids inside hostage. According to court documents, Donovan Prevette allegedly threatening to shoot the woman. and then tried to stop her from calling 911.

But it may have been the quick thinking of someone else in the house who texted 911, leading to prevent being taken into custody safely. Texting 911 is a feature used by Raleigh Police and the Wake County Sheriff's Office is something advocates say can save lives. We see scenarios of where someone is broken into someone's house. They're hiding in a closet. Obviously, they don't want to be detected by a perpetrator, so they're texting in domestic violence situations.

situations, that same scenario, they may have the opportunity to walk into a bathroom and close the door and text and not be heard talking to anyone. Major Chris Creech with the Wake County Sheriff's Office says if you do text, you don't need a long message right away. It's important to focus on the basics, like where you are. The most important thing, the first text you should send is where you are. We can't help you if we can't find you. So we need to know where you are. What address are you at? If you don't know the address, can you give us cross streets of what's near you, the description of a building that you're inside of, a car that you're inside of. From there, dispatchers will text with follow-up questions.

Their advice, be brief and concise. You can also text pictures and video if it helps investigators. You don't have to know any other number. You don't have to do anything special. The same 911, just a safer way when the moments count. In Raleigh, Tom George, ABC 11. Eyewitness News. Yeah. So if you ever need it in your phone, in your messaging app where it says two, just put 911 and then I'll get your message. So to come here on eyewitness news, the four service

members killed in the Middle East recently, including two from Fort Bragg, had their dignified transfer ceremony today. And it was this sobering reminder of the human cost of war as strikes continue in Iran tonight. And Steve's back checking on the temps outside right now. That's right, guys. Listen, if you're heading out and about as we go throughout the evening hours, our temperatures out there for the most part, are incredibly mild in the 70s, even in the 80s in spots down in the sand hills. More rain tonight and tomorrow. That flooding risk stays elevated. We'll talk more about that coming up in just a few minutes.

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participating Wendy's Texas Extra. We're back now with a live look at the rain we are tracking. It's moving through the area. We're on the road right now in northern Durham County on 5.01 in Roosemont. You can see on the radar there. The rain's moving through. We are under a flash flood watch through tomorrow evening. Steve Stewart has the latest details and the timing of what we can expect tomorrow and into the weekend coming right up. Tonight, our military launched. a 12th night of strikes against Iran and in Dover, Delaware today, a stark reminder of the human cost of the war with Iran. The bodies of four soldiers killed in action in the Middle East, including two from Fort Bragg, arrived back here in the United States.

One by one, those caskets draped in the American flag were removed from a military jet. North Carolina Senator Tom Tillis joined the president there and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at that dignified transfer. ABC's Jacqueline Lee has the latest. The U.S. striking Iran again tonight at President Trump's direction. U.S. Central Command, marking the 12th straight night of strikes. Coming hours after the dignified transfer of the four American soldiers killed in the war with Iran, President Trump saluting the returning soldiers earlier today. President Trump bringing the family a fallen soldier first lieutenant Tyler Fian on board Air Force

1 from Dover to Marietta, Georgia, and recognizing them at a rally. To Sherry and Stephen and David, we will carry Tyler's memory in our hearts forever, and I just want to thank you. It's an honor to have you here today, please. Tonight, human rights activists in Iran say they've recorded 3,684 casualties since the war began. And now signs the war may be expanding. Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen claimed to have targeted two Saudi ships off Saudi Arabia's coast, with a Houthi spokesperson confirming the strike, stating ships violated their ban on Saudi ships transiting in the Red Sea. This, as Americans continue to feel it in their wallets, the average price for regular gas up 15 cents from last week.

sitting around $4.8 a gallon, according to Gas Buddy. My heart and my prayers go to those soldiers and their families. But, you know, this foreign policy, you know, that we have this, frankly, unnecessary war against Iran. It is now affecting the pocketbook of everyday American families. Jacqueline Lee, ABC News, Los Angeles. In total, 18 American troops have been killed since the start of the war with Iran. And those losses are deeply impacting the military community at Ford Bragg and highlighting the importance of army officers responsible for notifying families of a loved one's death. For Bragg is home to 140 chaplains and 70 casualty assistance officers, each prepared to support families in these times of loss.

When a soldier dies, chaplains join casualty assistance officers as part of the notification team, providing counseling and spiritual support and comfort to those grieving families. Casualty officers help navigate every step after a soldier is killed or goes missing or is seriously injured. provided administrative and logistical and emotional support. Casualty supervisor Donnell Bowser served in the Army himself in the early 1980s, and he says this mission is personal. I was involved in the desert storm and desert shield. And a friend of my was killed, so you kind of understand that. That kind of leads in a way why I do what I do.

No matter how the family member may respond or expectations, we're going to always be there for them. Bowser says casualty assistance officers go through a specific training process before they are prepared to take on this role. A summer camp underway in Durham is helping inspire and educate young girls about taking care of their hair. It's called Amacca's Beauty Camp. Yeah, the week-long program teaches girls' hairstyling techniques, shampooing skills, and really discovering the right products through some trial and error there. For the past four years, Amacca's beauty camp has been helping girls in Durham discover more than just styling hair. The founder says the biggest transformation is the confidence they leave with. Founder Dejah Hines created the camp after seeing a need to help young girls build self-confidence from the inside out.

This week-long program also introduces the older girls to the business side of the beauty industry. With social media playing a big part in how girls see themselves, Dejra says she wants these young ladies to see their own beauty first. What we're doing is teaching them to love the skin they're in, love the hair that they have. and I'm teaching them to learn how to manage their hair. This year's campers say the lessons are already making a big difference, building confidence, one braid, one style, one affirmation at a time. And there could be some young business women potentially there too.

That's true. That's true. On that same path. All right. Steve Stewart is back with us right now. Keeping a close eye on the radar and it's going to be a potentially tricky day around here tomorrow. Yeah, tomorrow morning for sure. Some areas are really going to have some heavy rain.

The flood watch and effect through the day tomorrow. into the evening hours as well. That rain will be pushing to the south as we go throughout today. Right now we're looking downtown. Not a lot going on. We've had a couple of light showers there. By far the heaviest rain this evening has been off to our north and just out to the west. But rain will be heavy at times tonight.

It's a soaker tomorrow, especially early in the morning. If you come across something like this, do not drive through a turnaround. It's not worth the risk. Sunday's a better half of the weekend. Although both they still have a chance at rain, the chances are going to be much lower and there'll be lots of driving. time if you have plans. But tomorrow's going to be a bit of a mess. It's some of the moisture is getting pulled in here from Bertha and it's moving along this slow moving front and it's

really squeezing out some significant rainfall. So the flood risk tonight is highest triangle north. Tomorrow that shifts to the south and then Friday even farther to the south. And it looks like now some of the guidance that's coming in would suggest a good part of the day Friday for a lot of us couldn't end up being dry with the exception of the sandals. Boy, that is some pockets of very heavy rain moving up 85 right now if you get under some of these kind of sheets of rain. This isn't severe. We're not seeing any strong winds or anything like that at this point in time. Just some heavy rain that's moving on through and it's more of that west to east orientation with a slow progress to the south. And that heavy rain can move in early tomorrow morning around the triangle and it could last for quite a few hours.

And the rainfall rates folks could be inch and a half, two inches per hour at times. It doesn't take a long time for that to really add up. 76 into North Hills right now. That's nine degrees cooler than yesterday. With low 70s north, still mid-80s in the sand hills, and you're not dealing with rain down there. Matter of fact, a good part of the night's going to be quiet. As we go to the day tomorrow, the high could be early in the day. We'll fall to the lower 70s with on and off rain showers during the course of the day.

Where does the front set up? Now, the European model keeps it farther south on Friday. And then as we go into Saturday, also that could stay to the south. More that front that close by. got to keep that risk in the forecast. Quick check on Bertha. Again, it's moving now back into open waters. It'll head close to Houston. Do not anticipate a lot of issues here. The heavy rain is going to stay off the coast. So rain tonight, heavy at times. That'll be with us again tomorrow, especially in the morning hours around the triangle. And there's a risk we can have some heavy rain Friday, but it's mainly south over the weekend, some spotty showers around.

And then back to some alone 90s as we get into next week. Thank you. People like to use the expression when pigs fly to express disbelief, but what about when whales fly just ahead? We've got more on a pretty amazing orca that managed to get airborne. Summer heats up in FX's The Shards. Set in 80s, Los Angeles, the Shards follows a group of beautiful privileged prep school students who are preyed on by the trawler, a serial killer targeting teenagers across the city. This fever dream of youth, beauties, Sex and Mystery is a must see. FX's The Shards.

Streaming August 5th on Hulu on Disney Plus. Sign up now at Disneyplus.com. Hey, y'all, it's Kelly Clarkson with Wayfair. Ever order furniture online and wonder what if? Like, what if it doesn't hold up? That sofa was four days old. You should have ordered from Wayfair. With Wayfair, there's no what if.

Just style you love and quality you can trust. Visit Wayfair.ca. Wayfair, every style, every home. All right, we continue to track tonight's weather. As you see, we are still on the roads there. This is in that same location, Roosemont, 501, wipe are still going. And you can see the roads are slick and they are wet.

They are drenched. Tomorrow morning we'll bring similar conditions as people head out and about on their morning commute. So we're going to continue to cover the story for you and bring the latest updates here on air and online. All right, let's get to tonight's top trending stories right now in the segment we love. We call it real news.

And our first stop is out on the West Coast in the Pacific Ocean, a wild sight with this orca jumping into the air. Yeah, there was some people on a cruise ship there, like a nature cruise ship there. And they had this scene play out right in front of them. Kind of miraculous when you look at it and you see what's happening there. This is in central California, quite the show. The boat happened to pull up just as a pot of killer whales, went after a group of dolphins, plenty of thrilling moments.

But that one really takes the cake there. the adult orca breach rams, a dolphin with enough force to blast it right there. Clear out the water. And officials of sanctuary cruises, which captured that video, said it was a pretty special day out there. Well, and that dolphin learned the hard way. You don't tangle with an orca, right? You don't do that. All right, from one epic video to another, this one's been causing quite a stir online.

It's the battle of the bears to see who can grab the most salmon. Yeah, what you're watching right here are brown bears at Alaska's Catmay National Park. They're gathering for what you might call an All You Can Eat Buffet. The bears eat more than 30 salmon a day. That's more than 120 pounds. Every fall, people can then vote for the bear that puts on the most pounds ahead of hibernation in what's known as fat bear week and October. Those guys are eating well right now. Yes, they are. Full belly.

That's right. All right, from all you can eat salmon to all you can drink, Dr. Pepper. There will be no shortage of the soda in one Texas household over the next year. A 12-year-old girl from Waco won a one-year supply of this off drink. The big win coming through the Dr. Pepper Museum's annual giveaway. Take a look at this bountiful supply. It was delivered to Kinley. It was delivered to her home earlier this week.

She was allowed to choose her favorite flavor, and she decided on that creamy coconut for her one-year supply. Good stuff. I know. She's pretty lucky parents letting her have soda, right? We'll see you tomorrow. Good night. ABC 11 eyewitness news is sponsored by Capitol Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.