An alligator was just found wandering a dark road in Rowan County, about 15 miles north of Charlotte.

The Rowan County sheriff’s office posted about the find Facebook. They note that the young 4-foot-long creature was discovered about 125 miles northwest of its known range and they don’t yet know how it ended up in Rowan County, or where the rest of its family is.

Authorities have safely transported it to a zoo in eastern North Carolina for the time being.

The range for alligators typically extends to the southern part of Robeson County, but wildlife officials think that range could be extending north as temperatures continue to rise.

Charlotte is expanding its housing supply without laying a single new brick. Ranking fourth across the U.S. on a list topped by Manhattan, the city is at the forefront of turning old buildings into modern apartments this year, according to the latest Adaptive Reuse report.

Here are the key highlights for Charlotte:

• 351 new apartments were converted from unused buildings in Charlotte over the past year — a substantial 63% increase from the previous year.
• Most of them (235 units) came from the conversion of the historic Johnston Mill factory on 432 East 36th Street. The rest were created by repurposing an old hotel on 5746 Westpark Drive.
• Other standout examples in adaptive reuse within the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area are Belmont and Monroe, adding 240 and 56 apartments, respectively, by repurposing two factories.
• What does the future hold? In Charlotte, 96 units are under construction and will be completed in the near future, while Bessemer City is set to convert 139 units. 
• Nationwide, the number of adaptive reuse projects grew 17.6% compared to the year prior. While office conversions remain popular, we’re now seeing a shift towards repurposed hotels, particularly in Manhattan, which now dominates the adaptive reuse landscape.

The sport that’s taken America by storm – Pickleball – has a full day of celebration today as it is National Pickleball Day (August 8th).

To honor this infamous sport, Google Trends were analyzed for “pickleball,” and total number of pickleball courts per capita to rank the Top 10 Pickleball States.

North Carolina came in 8th overall in the nation.

2024 continues to stand out as a year of normalization in industrial real estate. The first half of the year saw more completions than new starts, resulting in a shrinking pipeline across most industrial markets. Meanwhile, the role of manufacturing continues to increase within the industry, and H2 2024 promises to boost the U.S.’ manufacturing outlook with a wave of large deliveries.

In CommercialSearch’s Mid-Year Industrial Report, some of the key takeaways include:

• The Charlotte industrial pipeline currently encompasses 9.1 million square feet, representing 2.8% of the market’s current stock.
• Overall, the industrial supply under construction nationally dropped 19% in the first half of the year, from 463 million square feet in January to 376 million at the end of June.
• Phoenix remains the market with the most new industrial space underway, with 39.1 million square feet under construction.
• The largest industrial property slated for completion in the second half of 2024 is Hyundai’s 16-million-square-foot plant near Savannah, Georgia.

Tropical Storm Debby has been hammering the greater Charlotte area this morning and is expected to continue throughout the day.

Charlotte is currently in the midst of a 50 year rain event with almost 5″ of rain having already fallen in North Charlotte as of noon.

Numerous roads, parks, and streams throughout Charlotte are already flooding.

Might have to find a new run route tomorrow ☠️
Irvin Creek greenway @wxbrad pic.twitter.com/f8ADoSogpa

— 🌾 Arky @ Windclan 🌾 (@lalarke) August 8, 2024

Dave Lyle BVD in Rock Hill off exit 79 along I77 has flooded out. Multiple lanes blocked off due to flooded lanes and fast-moving water. You can even see a massive whirlpool from the culverts taking in water. Rain has also picked back up. @wxbrad @WBTV_News @NWSGSP @SCweather_wx pic.twitter.com/SX2IL3c6Bi

— Antonio Adkins (@AntonioAdkins17) August 8, 2024

Little Sugar Creek flooding at Freedom Park. ( 📸: Eric Guzic). @wcnc pic.twitter.com/rHbw7N7LBc

— Ben Thompson (@Bentnews) August 8, 2024

By 11 a.m., nearly 99,000 power outages were reported across North and South Carolina, with around 20,000 in Mecklenburg County. In Gaston County, more than 4,000 residents were without power, according to Duke Energy’s outage map.

Wind gusts of 45-50 mph have triggered Wind Advisories, snapping trees and causing significant damage.

Despite tornadoes to the south and east, Charlotte is unlikely to see any tornado activity.

Please continue to be safe and stay weather aware today and tomorrow.

Students in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools District will not be returning to class as expected due to the heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby.

The district announced that the first day of school, initially scheduled for Thursday, August 8, has been canceled. Projected rain from the storm is expected to cause flooding.

A decision regarding the return to school on Friday, August 9, will be made by 3 pm Thursday. District leaders will consult with local experts and emergency outlets to assess the storm’s impact on buildings and roads.

In a post on their website, the Rowan County School Department states:

“Good afternoon, Rowan-Salisbury students, families, and staff: 

After collaborating with local weather experts and emergency outlets, the first day of school is canceled for students on Thursday, August 8. The projected rain and winds are expected to cause flooding, fallen trees, and possible power outages. We want to keep our students and staff safe and off the roads in the event that any of these conditions occur. 

We understand that many of you will be disappointed to delay the excitement of the first day. Please know that we can’t wait to welcome everyone back into our buildings when we feel the travel conditions are safe. For that reason, we will wait to make a decision about school for Friday, August 9 until tomorrow. We will let you know by 3 p.m. on Thursday about our plans for Friday. We will continue to consult our local experts and emergency outlets as we look at the storm’s impact on our roads and buildings. 

Thank you for your patience as we make these difficult decisions. Let your students know we are ready and excited for a safe return to school. 

We will share this information and upcoming announcements on our Facebook and Instagram, school and district web pages, and with local news outlets.”

Today Carowinds (which recently merged with Six Flags) has announced major plans to expand its Camp Snoopy section, including a new family-friendly roller coaster.

The upgrades represent the largest investment in Camp Snoopy’s history.

New Rides and Upgrades Include:

Snoopy’s Racing Railway will offer guests an exhilarating adventure as they join Snoopy racing to deliver root beer and pizza to the Mess Hall. The steel launch coaster will accelerate from 0 to 31 mph in seconds, featuring exciting dips and wild turns, with riders experiencing the course twice.

Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast will provide a splish-splash adventure for families. The eight-seater boats will be equipped with water cannons, allowing riders to engage in water skirmishes as they navigate the river channel. Along the way, riders will encounter Peanuts characters, adding to the excitement.

Splash Play Zones will help families beat the heat with new splash areas featuring enhanced shade and water features. These zones are designed to keep everyone cool and entertained during hot summer days.

Camp Store Meet-and-Greet Experience will offer guests the chance to meet Peanuts characters in an interactive, camp-themed environment. The newly remodeled store will feature rustic log benches around a cozy firepit, providing ideal photo opportunities and memorable interactions.

“We’re excited to introduce the latest adventures in Camp Snoopy in 2025,” Manny Gonzalez, vice president and general manager for Carowinds, said in a press release. “Our re-imagined Camp Snoopy will allow families to ride and play together, immersing them in a summer camp experience with the Peanuts gang. From the thrilling twists of Snoopy’s Racing Railway to the splashes at Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast, our focus is on family fun. These new features will transform Camp Snoopy into more than just a place to play and cool off; it will become a destination for creating family memories.”

NEWS: Camp Snoopy gets bigger, better, and Snoopy-er in 2025. #Carowinds‘ historic investment includes two major new family attractions.

Press release: https://t.co/3I4XPxhEEl pic.twitter.com/qdcVHeFWRl

— Carowinds (@Carowinds) August 7, 2024

In 2025, families will discover new ways to play with two new major family rides at #Carowinds‘ Camp Snoopy.

💦 Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast
🎢 Snoopy’s Racing Railway

Learn more: https://t.co/ZHrnVAK7J8@Snoopy | #Snoopy | #CampSnoopy pic.twitter.com/JgHE3WV4s9

— Carowinds (@Carowinds) August 7, 2024

Tropical Storm Debby progress has slowed down and is currently still gaining strength over the western Atlantic. The massive storm now has a more westerly track and will pose a significantly higher flood threat to the Charlotte region.

Early this morning, Debby drifted northeast at 4 mph, positioned 50 miles southeast of Charleston and 90 miles east of Savannah, Georgia, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 6:30 PM 8/6: A Flood Watch has been issued along and east of I-77 with 5-8” of rain possible by Friday morning, locally higher amounts possible in the Watch
Area. Heavy rainfall along and east of I-77 is expected late Wednesday through Friday. #scwx #ncwx #cltwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/4c27IdkuoR

— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) August 6, 2024

A second landfall in South Carolina is now expected by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. With sustained winds of 45 mph, forecasters warn Debby could strengthen before hitting the coast.

The storm’s recent westward shift means central North Carolina, particularly the Charlotte area, could see up to 9 inches of rain over the next few days.

Residents should stay weather aware from late tomorrow through Friday, with flooding and downed trees as primary concerns.

NHS officials are reminding all residents in Atlantic Coast states to be prepared for potential future storms.

In case of a power outage, make sure to have the following emergency items stocked in your home;

• Car charger for cell phones and other devices
• Clean drinking water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day, minimum three days)
• Flashlights 
• Batteries: Extra batteries for all of your devices
• Weather radio/clock
• Non-perishable food
• First aid kit