Home Care In Wilmington, NC

North Carolina – The first light glows pale over the Cape Fear River as tides creep higher and water pools near storm drains downtown. Streets glisten beneath gray skies, and traffic hums over wet pavement in Wilmington, where a Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m.

According to the National Weather Service Wilmington office, up to one-half foot of inundation is possible above ground level in low-lying coastal zones. Areas near Battleship Road, USS North Carolina Road, and Water Street are most at risk as tides rise through the midmorning cycle. The water could briefly overtop curbs and spill into intersections before receding by late morning.

Meteorologists note that while today’s flooding will stay minor, it marks a clear reminder of how easily seasonal tides combine with rain and wind to create local hazards. Drivers should avoid barricades, slow near tidal creeks, and allow extra time on U.S. 17 and Market Street during the morning commute.

Skies remain cloudy into Saturday, with a 70% chance of rain and patchy fog possible through early afternoon. Conditions improve by Sunday, with sunshine returning and highs near 56°F. Early next week looks dry and mild, but another wave of coastal moisture may arrive later in the week as cooler air filters in from inland North Carolina.

Residents are urged to monitor updates and move vehicles from flood-prone areas this morning.Have you seen tidal flooding along the Cape Fear yet today? Share your reports safely.

Five-Day Forecast for Wilmington, NC:Fri: 50/42 – Rain early; coastal flooding until 11 AM.Sat: 50/38 – Cloudy; scattered rain and fog.Sun: 56/39 – Mostly sunny; drier afternoon.Mon: 50/27 – Partly sunny; cool and calm.Tue: 61/33 – Mostly sunny; mild midweek.

Brunch is big in the Wilmington area. There’s already a lot to choose from for breakfast-and-lunch meals, including restaurants dedicated to brunch full-time and those that offer a special menu on the weekends.

But the options also keep growing. New menus have everything from inventive fare to classic comfort food. You can find unique chilaquiles, brunchy bowls, chicken and waffles, and lots of sausage gravy.

If you want to add to your brunch game, here are a few of the latest destinations in the area. Did we miss your favorite new spot? We’d love to hear about it. Email [email protected].

The Harp Bar

A new owner means a new Irish brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday at 1423 S. Third St., Wilmington. The platters include The Happy Irish Man, with imported meats and puddings. There’s also corned beef hash, some classic Irish favorites, omelets and handhelds.

Henry’s

This popular Wilmington restaurant already has a brunch menu, but they’ve expanded it to a daily breakfast service with omelets, pancakes, French toast, and more at 2508 Independence Blvd.

Mi Rey Taqueria and Grill

This new Mexican eatery said they added a brunch menu due to popular demand. The menu has lots of classics and authentic flavors, from breakfast burritos to breakfast burgers, at 4015 Market St. In Wilmington. It’s available 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pine Valley Market Wrightsville Beach

The second location of this Wilmington market and cafe adds breakfast and a full-service restaurant to the already popular lunch. Mimosas and iced coffee are on tap, with a menu of omelets, yogurt bowls and a fried chicken biscuit. The restaurant is open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1611 Pavilion Place near Wrightsville Beach.

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Revival Surf City

A new bar and grill in Pender County now has Sunday breakfast 9 a.m.-noon. with options like chicken and waffles, chicken-fried steak and biscuits and gravy at 2111 N. New River Drive, Surf City.

Sammy Sea’s Coastal Kitchen

This new brunch restaurant is now open at 1610 Pavilion Place, Wilmington. Look for breakfast tacos, The Helm (which is billed as Wrightsville’s largest pancake), as well as salads, burgers and more breakfast favorites.

Sweet D’s Cuisine

This bakery had already started to expand their breakfast options to include breakfast bowls and grits. In November, there's more “unch” to brunch with a comfort food menu that includes weekly specials like meatloaf and sides on Monday, barbecued beef ribs on Friday and oxtails on Saturday at 2321 S. 17th St., Wilmington.

Vochos Urban Mexican Kitchen

Look for elevated Mexican brunch service that’s now available Saturday and Sunday at 1138 Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington. Their Chilaquiles Rellenos, for example, adds cheese to the chilaquiles and braised mini pork shanks. Also look for Sopa Benedict, pork belly tacos and an espresso martini with a bit of passion fruit.

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at [email protected].

Wilmington is home to several regional and national chains of grocery stores. But what about the stores we don't have? Some of the most popular and abundant grocery chains in the country don't have a location in Wilmington. Is there any chance some of them might one day come here?

It may sound a bit ridiculous, but for most of us, groceries are a big part of our lives. Every week we have to decide what to buy, what day to go, and, of course, which store to go to. Some people might have one grocery chain that they stay loyal to, while others change from week to week.

Grocery stores also are part of what defines where people live. For instance, several of the major grocery chains in Wilmington are North Carolina staples and can't be found everywhere in the country.

Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Lowes Food, for example, all originated in North Carolina and are still headquartered in the state today. All of these chains have locations all throughout Wilmington and the surrounding area.

These chains also operate in many surrounding states in the eastern United States, but go far enough, and you will no longer be able to find them.

So that begs the question -- what about the stores you can't find in Wilmington? What major grocery chains is Wilmington missing, and do any of them have a chance at coming here?

Let's break down the grocery stores that Wilmington is missing.

Wegmans

Wegmans is a grocery chain with more than 110 stores across nine states.

While Wegmans stores are mostly concentrated in the northeast -- the chain was founded in New York -- it does have some locations in North Carolina, which is as far south as the chain goes.

Wegmans has also announced two more stores for North Carolina. While no plans have been confirmed for a store in Wilmington, the chain's growth inside North Carolina certainly improves the chances.

Winn Dixie

The absence of Winn Dixie may hit close to home for some, because the chain once had a store in Wilmington.

The Winn Dixie in Wilmington was once a part of the old Long Leaf Mall, but the store closed in 1986.

Today, the chain doesn't operate any stores in North Carolina. Instead, Winn Dixie locations are located farther south. The company is headquartered in Florida.

It's uncertain whether Winn Dixie will ever return to Wilmington. According to USA TODAY reporting, the company recently announced plans to restructure and consolidate in Georgia and Florida, leaving North Carolina out of the equation.

Ingles

Ingles is one of the largest and most popular grocery chains on the other side of our state. The company is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, where it has over 15 stores in the city and surrounding area.

Ingles also has a strong presence in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

In North Carolina, Ingles locations reach as far east as Charlotte. Still, in order for the company to expand to Wilmington, one would have to imagine the chain would reach Raleigh first. This means an Ingles for Wilmington could be a distant possibility.

Albertsons

According to the company website, Albertsons has 368 locations in the United States. The chain is based in Idaho, and nearly all of its locations are in the western United States, dimming the possibility of Wilmington ever seeing one.

Safeway

Safeway is owned by the same parent company as Albertsons. With over 900 locations, Safeway stores can be found all over the country.

There are none in North Carolina.

Virginia does have 37 Safeway locations, but these are concentrated in the northern reaches of the state. Again, if Safeway does expand southward, it would have a lot of ground to cover before reaching Wilmington.

Kroger

The Kroger Company owns Harris Teeter, one of the most abundant grocery stores in Wilmington. While Kroger used to have locations in North Carolina, the parent company now only operates through Harris Teeter in the state.

Sprouts

Sprouts Farmers Market has hundreds of stores across the United States, including seven in North Carolina. The closest store to Wilmington is in Fayetteville.

Like its name may suggest, Sprouts brands itself as a healthy grocery store, offering fresh and organic products.

Sprouts opened in Fayetteville in 2018. So far, no plans have been announced for the chain to expand to Wilmington.

Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at [email protected].

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Most people decorate Christmas trees for the holidays, while others put lights on their boats.

A coastal tradition has sailed by in Wrightsville Beach on Saturday night.

The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla invited people from far and near for a holiday show.

Boaters decorate their vessels in creative themes using Christmas lights. The displays can been seen from miles away.

This is the 42nd time it’s been held in the area. The event has been dedicated in the memory of one boat owner who participated in just about every show, Billy Baggett. The committee says he alongside his sister, helped to cultivate the event into one of the most treasured coastal traditions in the state.

It’s why a boat owner of 38-years decided to join in on the fun this year.

“We are just grateful to be here,” said Sid Gulledge Sr.

Gulledge and his family wanted to pick a theme that was out-of-the-world.

“They theme is beam me up Santa. It’s a little bit of Christmas, a little bit of UFO, a little bit of extraterrestrial,” said Gulledge’s son.

The family wanted to make their boat stand out from the crowd, since it’s smaller in size.

It consists of lights in the shape of a UFO, a disco ball, a blown up alien prop, and outfits that represents Santa Claus and Astronauts.

One of the judges this year was WECT’s Jon Evans.

The winner of the contest will be announced on their website.

The event committee says while it’s a friendly contest, they really just want to bring neighbors out for a good time.

“It’s just really a cool opportunity to see everyone come together and to bring the town together,” said Bradley Alsip.

The holiday events continues on Sunday.

Dogs are a huge part of many people's lives all across the United States. In Wilmington, even if you don't own a dog, you're bound to see them all around the city, whether it's walking through parks, neighborhoods, or even downtown.

And there may be a good reason for that. A recent study from LawnStarter looked at the best cities in the United States for dog lovers, and Wilmington was ranked well inside the top 10.

For Wilmington residents who own a dog, this could confirm that they're providing a great home for their pet. And for those who are considering getting a dog, this might make that decision that much closer to being made.

But what makes Wilmington such a great city for dog lovers? Let's break down LawnStarter's study and look at why the Port City ranks so high.

Why is Wilmington one of the best cities for dog owners?

LawnStarter's study examined the United States' 500 largest cities on a variety of factors covering five major categories: care, community, businesses, housing, and affordability.

The study analyzed 37 individual metrics, with each being given a specific weight. These metrics included things like availability of veterinary care, home/yard size, access to dog parks and animal shelters, number of dog-friendly businesses, and much more.

Wilmington's highest rank was in the "care" category. LawnStarter ranked Wilmington as the sixth-best city in the country for that category. Wilmington was also ranked 19th in the businesses category, which reflected how dog-friendly a city's commercial spaces were.

But according to the LawnStarter study, Wilmington still has a lot of room to grow in terms of how the city supports its dog owners. Wilmington came in at 233 in the "community" category, its worst ranking by far. This category included specific metrics such as the amount and quality of dog parks.

While Wilmington may lack facilities that are dog parks in name, many local parks are very pet-friendly and offer walking trails and fenced-in areas for dogs to run and play.

Wilmington also ranked 130th in affordability. While this puts it above most of the 500 largest cities in the United States, affordability is certainly an area that pet owners would love to see improve.

Where did Wilmington rank overall?

Overall, LawnStarter ranked Wilmington as the sixth best city for dog lovers in the United States, narrowly missing out on the top five.

What other cities made the top 10?

Two other North Carolina cities cracked the top 10 in LawnStarter's study. That makes North Carolina the only state with more than one city in the top 10.

Asheville achieved the second best score out of all cities. It was also the highest ranked city in the "business" category.

Raleigh was the ninth ranked city overall, with strong scores across all categories but none that were especially high.

Finally, Charlotte ranked at 31st and Cary came in at 44th.