Idalia leaves trail of destruction along Carolina coast: Thursday, Aug. 31

Tropical Storm Idalia left many coastal communities partially underwater in South Carolina and North Carolina as it dumped heavy rain on the region Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Richard DeVayne joins us from Charleston with the latest update on conditions, where forecaters say the fifth-highest storm surge ever recorded happened during Idalia. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane-idalia-flooding-rain-carolinas/275-83bf3e09-e95a-497a-86d2-63ae96d4acceStudents at the University of North Carolina return to class for the first time Thursday since a professor was shot and killed on campus. Thousands of people gathered to honor the life of Zijie Yan Wednesday night, with the university's chancellor addressing them during a vigil. Destiny Richards has a report on what students are feeling as they prepare for life after tragedy. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/unc-chapel-hill-bell-tower-professor-honored-killed-in-shooting-zijie-yan/275-efd7f33f-cbde-49d6-82b6-aae6a44f635bPlus, we're going over the biggest headlines to get your day started with your morning rush. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! Sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter: www.wcnc.com/email