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Good point. How many hurricanes in the past 20 years and how bad?
Fran in 1996 was devastating to Wilmington, Carolina Beach and Topsail Island. Floyd in 1999 caused flooding as far inland as Raleigh, I believe. Irene in 2011 did a lot of damage to Atlantic Beach and inland as far as Kinston. We evacuated from Sneads Ferry in 2011, but had only minor tree damage. Some weather web sites can give you details of the other storms. You can expect at least heavy rain once a year, and major storms every few years.
Fran in 1996 was devastating to Wilmington, Carolina Beach and Topsail Island. Floyd in 1999 caused flooding as far inland as Raleigh, I believe. Irene in 2011 did a lot of damage to Atlantic Beach and inland as far as Kinston. We evacuated from Sneads Ferry in 2011, but had only minor tree damage. Some weather web sites can give you details of the other storms. You can expect at least heavy rain once a year, and major storms every few years.
Irene was the only major one I was in NC for. I lived in Jacksonville which isn't overly far from the coast but by no means directly on it. A couple of our windows were damaged, the roof was damaged, we lost some siding, we lost the front storm door, and tree branches were everywhere. But overall it wasn't too bad.
A friend had a tree come right through the roof into her bedroom- she had it much worse!
I remember the Sheraton Atlantic Beach got severely damaged- enough that it closed down for almost 2 years while repairs were made.
Other than that though, the overall damage from Irene wasn't too serious for memory. As long as you have good Home Owner's Insurance you'll be fine
"I remember the Sheraton Atlantic Beach got severely damaged- enough that it closed down for almost 2 years while repairs were made."
I have a relative that was associated with that Sheraton. The reason for the lengthy closure was not due to storm damage. There was a lawsuit and then subsequent lien placed on the Sheraton for not paying a $1.3 Million repair bill. In addition, mold was discovered after the fact and literally everything had to be replaced and restored.
If it had been a matter of just repairing storm damage then the Sheraton would have been re-opened quickly.
The Sheraton is under new ownership/management since all of that happened.
I sometimes get a little frustrated reading comments about hurricanes. I have made Carteret County home for over 30 years and have been through every storm since. I owned a television production company and a live television show that covered all things about the coast of NC. I have been in the eye of the storm-literally-several times. I have lived on the water with waves breaking on my house. I have been standing at the end of an ocean fishing pier when a wave broke on top of it. Been to sea in 15-20 foot waves, and the list goes on.
I have forecasted and predicted hurricanes, tracked and monitored them, documented and reported on them.
And like the first reports from the front line of a war, hurricane reports tend to be a bit askew.
Here are a few constants I have observed about hurricanes.
Each storm is different. Strength does not necessarily equate to destruction. Proximity to water does not necessarily equate to flood potential. Wind direction, not wind speed is often the greater determinate for destruction. Hurricanes near shore become the most fickle. Way to much emphasis is placed on the coast during a hurricane. For example- More deaths occur from inland flooding than coastal. In 2004 two hurricane remnants impacted the mountains of NC with rain measuring 2 feet creating massive landslides and flooding. In 1989 Charlotte was devastated by Hurricane Hugo. In 1996 it was Raleigh's turn with Hurricane Fran.
Here are a few constants I have observed about hurricanes.
Each storm is different. Strength does not necessarily equate to destruction. Proximity to water does not necessarily equate to flood potential. Wind direction, not wind speed is often the greater determinate for destruction. Hurricanes near shore become the most fickle. Way to much emphasis is placed on the coast during a hurricane. For example- More deaths occur from inland flooding than coastal. In 2004 two hurricane remnants impacted the mountains of NC with rain measuring 2 feet creating massive landslides and flooding. In 1989 Charlotte was devastated by Hurricane Hugo. In 1996 it was Raleigh's turn with Hurricane Fran.
Extremely good points. Thank you!
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