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when did hurricane florence hit wilmington north carolina

by Larissa Kulas Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Sept. 14, 2018

When was the last hurricane in Wilmington NC?

Wilmington, NC is in a very high risk hurricane zone. 91 hurricanes have been recorded in the Wilmington, NC since 1930. The largest hurricane was Charley in 2004. The most recent Wilmington, NC hurricane was Ana in 2015. View By Year.

What are facts about Hurricane Florence?

Hurricane Florence: Fast Facts

  1. Hurricane Florence moved over the Carolinas at a menacingly slow pace. Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on Sept. ...
  2. Dozens of people lost their lives. More than 40 people, including several children, were killed in the slow-moving storm. ...
  3. The risk of flooding still remains. ...

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What do hurricanes hit Wilmington NC?

The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the time period was Hurricane Fran in 1996, which struck near Wilmington as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale; Hurricane Emily in 1993 brushed the Outer Banks also as a Category 3 hurricane.

Is evacuating for Hurricane Florence?

Hurricane Florence prompts widespread coastal evacuations. Hurricane Florence, a powerful Category 4 storm, is bearing down on the Southeast coast and “we want the people to get out and get safe ...

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What was the worst hurricane to hit Wilmington NC?

Hurricane Hazel was the deadliest and costliest hurricane of the 1954 hurricane season (Figure 1) and is the strongest and only Category 4 hurricane to ever hit the North Carolina coast.

When did Florence hit Wilmington NC?

Sept. 14, 2018Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach on Sept. 14, 2018, as a Category 1 hurricane. While the storm surge caused major damage along the coast, slow-moving Florence dumped record-breaking amounts of rain for several days as it moved inland.

When was the last time a hurricane hit Wilmington North Carolina?

Hurricane Florence: September 14, 2018LocationLowest PressureLowest PressureWilmington, NC (airport*)965.5 mb, 28.51 in. Hg995.5 mb, 29.40 in. HgOak Island, NC (Weatherflow)967.0 mb, 28.56 in. Hg998.3 mb, 29.48 in. HgCastle Hayne, NC (Texas Tech Sticknet)968.6 mb, 28.60 in. Hg999.7 mb, 29.52 in. Hg11 more rows

When did Florence make landfall in NC?

September 14, 2018The storm came inland near Wrightsville Beach as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14, 2018. At one point Florence was a Category 4 storm over the Atlantic, but it weakened before making a direct hit on North Carolina.

How much rain did Wilmington Nc get from Hurricane Florence?

Some of the largest rainfall totals were measured in Elizabethtown, where nearly 3 feet of rain fell, Hampstead and areas south of Wilmington measured over 29 and 30 inches, respectively. Overall, most locations in southeastern North Carolina saw between 15-20 inches of rain.

What area did Hurricane Florence hit?

Wrightsville Beach, North CarolinaThis resulted in a very slow westward motion of around 5 kt, and Florence made landfall as an 80-kt hurricane near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, around 1115 UTC 14 September.

Has a hurricane ever hit Wilmington NC?

Most hurricanes bring with them around 29 inches of atmospheric pressure, Armstrong said, but about a dozen times in 140 years Wilmington has experienced a hurricane with 28 inches.

How many hurricanes does Wilmington North Carolina get?

A total of 84 tropical cyclones made landfall over the 169-year period from 1851 to 2020, which means NC averages one tropical cyclone making landfall every two years. Of those 84 tropical storms, 52 of them were hurricanes, so NC averages one hurricane making landfall every 3.25 years.

What is Wilmington NC known for?

Today, Wilmington is known for its antebellum and Civil War history, its role in famed movies and productions like Dawson's Creek, Black Velvet, or the aptly named movie Cape Fear, and its unique culture that combines college students, visitors, and working professionals.

What was the worst hurricane in history?

Hurricane Maria#1: Hurricane Maria (2017) With maximum sustained winds over 175 miles per hour, Hurricane Maria blasted Puerto Rico to claim more than 3,000 lives and generate nearly $100 billion in property damage. It remains the deadliest Atlantic hurricane in recorded history.

What hurricanes hit North Carolina in 2019?

Hurricane Dorian caused severe flooding and hurricane-force winds over parts of the coastal Carolinas during early September 2019....Effects of Hurricane Dorian in the Carolinas.Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)Hurricane Dorian making landfall in North Carolina on September 6Damage$1.2 billion (2019 USD)15 more rows

When did Hurricane Florence start?

August 30, 2018The sixth named storm, third hurricane, and the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence originated from a strong tropical wave that emerged off the west coast of Africa on August 30, 2018.

How fast was Hurricane Florence?

Florence weakened to a tropical storm by September 7, but the system regained hurricane strength on September 9 and major hurricane status with winds of 140 mph on September 10.

How much rain did Hurricane Florence cause?

The historic legacy of Hurricane Florence will be record breaking storm surge of 9 to 13 feet and devastating rainfall of 20 to 30 inches, which produced catastrophic and life-threatening flooding.

What was the name of the hurricane that hit the Carolinas?

Hurricane Florence was a long-lived Cape Verde hurricane and the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the Carolinas. The sixth named storm, third hurricane, and the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence originated from a strong tropical wave that emerged off the west coast of Africa on August 30, 2018. Florence became a tropical depression near Cape Verde on August 31 and progressed west-northwest, becoming a Tropical Storm on September 1. Florence strengthened rapidly on September 4–5, becoming a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. Florence weakened to a tropical storm by September 7, but the system regained hurricane strength on September 9 and major hurricane status with winds of 140 mph on September 10. However, increasing wind shear caused the storm's winds to gradually weaken over the next few days. However, the storm's wind field continued to grow. By the evening of September 13, Florence had been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach early on Friday September 14, and weakened further as it slowly moved inland.

What year did Florence get the most rain in Wilmington?

By the morning of September 16, Wilmington had recorded more rain from Florence than any other single weather event in the city's history. Additionally, Florence contributed to the wettest year in Wilmington history, with annual rainfall totals eclipsing the previous record set in 1877.

Where did Hurricane Florence hit?

Early on September 14, Florence made landfall in the United States just south of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane, and weakened further as it slowly moved inland under the influence of weak steering currents.

What was the name of the hurricane that hit the Carolinas in 2018?

Hurricane Florence. Hurricane Florence was a powerful and long-lived Cape Verde hurricane that caused catastrophic damage in the Carolinas in September 2018, primarily as a result of freshwater flooding due to torrential rain. The sixth named storm, third hurricane, and the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, ...

How did Hurricane Florence affect the climate?

However, actual conditions at the time of landfall were less severe, so analyses after the hurricane indicate that warming led to an increase in total rainfall of around 5% and an increase in diameter of around 1.5 miles. When the Associated Press reached out to seventeen meteorologists and climate scientists following the hurricane, the majority agreed that human-caused warming worsened the effects of the storm. However, a few remain hesitant to make such statements regarding individual hurricanes.

How much rain did Hurricane Matthew cause in South Carolina?

The Waccamaw River in Conway crested at 22.1 ft (6.7 m) on September 26, exceeding the Hurricane Matthew record of 19.1 ft (5.8 m). At a neighborhood along South Carolina Highway 905, about 5 ft (1.5 m) of water entered some homes. Farther south along the Waccamaw River, homes in a neighborhood in Socastee were flooded with as much as 8 ft (2.4 m) of water. In western Horry County, the community of Dongola was left isolated for 10 days. The overflowing river flooded almost 1,000 homes and businesses. The storm also spawned two tornadoes in Horry County, both rated EF0. The first twister touched down just north-northeast of Myrtle Beach, causing minor damage to pine trees near Route 17 before lifting after moving only about half a mile. The other tornado touched down near Longs and also damaged pine trees and a roof.

How fast was Hurricane Florence?

An unexpected bout of rapid intensification ensued on September 4–5, culminating with Florence becoming a Category 4 major hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHWS), with estimated maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h).

How much damage did Hurricane Florence cause?

Overall, the storm caused $24.23 billion in damage, mostly in the Carolinas, and 54 deaths.

Where did Hurricane Florence hit?

14 over Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, a few miles east of Wilmington and not far from the South Carolina border. The hurricane came ashore with 90-mph winds and punishing storm surge. States of emergency were declared in Georgia, South Carolina, ...

How many people died in the Carolinas from Hurricane Florence?

At least 51 people have died in the Carolinas from Hurricane Florence, which caused widespread flooding and set rain records in many areas of North Carolina. Florence is considered the wettest tropical system to hit North Carolina, according to the Weather Channel, and some parts received nearly 3 feet of rain.

How many homes were destroyed by Hurricane Hazel?

Hurricane Hazel, packing winds of 130 mph, destroyed 15,000 homes and killed 19 people in North Carolina. Since then, North and South Carolinians have weathered dozens of hurricanes of varying force and impact. BACK TO QUESTIONS.

How much rain did North Carolina get on Sept. 16?

Winds have lessened to 45 mph. Sept. 16: Some areas receive as much as 34 inches of rain from Sept. 13 to Sept. 16. Sept. 17: Floodwaters continue to rise, blocking 1,200 roads in North Carolina.

How many people have been served by World Vision since Florence?

Since Florence, World Vision has served about 15,600 people in some of the worst-affected areas. We partnered with Fayetteville Dream Center to set up a shelter at Manna Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Staff from Dream Center, the church, and World Vision served evacuees there and began providing relief supplies Sunday, Sept. 16.

Is Hurricane Florence a tropical storm?

Hurricane Florence, now downgraded to a tropical storm, dumps massive amounts of rain as it sits over South Carolina Saturday, Sept. 15. (©2018 Satellite photo courtesy of NOAA) Gallery. A man walks through flooding from Hurricane Florence in Lumberton, North Carolina. (©2018 World Vision/photo by Chris Huber) Gallery.

Sept. 1

The weather system developed into a tropical storm, dubbed Florence, with peak wind speeds near 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Sept. 4

The National Weather Service announced that Tropical Storm Florence had developed into a hurricane, packing 75 mph maximum sustained winds.

Sept. 5

The National Weather Service announced that Florence had become a "major hurricane," the first of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season.

Sept. 6

Florence clung to hurricane status as it continued to reduce in strength.

Sept. 9

Florence strengthened back into a hurricane and was forecast to "rapidly intensify into a major hurricane" by the following night, the National Weather Service said.

Sept. 10

The National Weather Service announced that Florence had "rapidly" strengthened back into a "major hurricane," first a Category 3 and then a 4, with peak wind speeds at 140 mph.

Sept. 12

Florence's peak wind speeds gradually fell to 110 mph by the end of the day, downgrading the hurricane to a Category 2.

1. Hurricane Hazel - Oct. 15, 1954

Hurricane Hazel made landfall in Calabash, bringing an 18-foot storm surge and wind speeds over 140 miles per hour in Brunswick County.

2. Hurricane Florence - Sept. 14, 2018

Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing slow moving downpours that caused flooding throughout eastern North Carolina.

3. Hurricane Floyd - Sept. 16, 1999

Hurricane Floyd made landfall on the Cape Fear as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing wing gusts measured over 130 miles per hour near Wrightsville Beach.

4. Hurricane Fran - Sept. 5, 1996

Hurricane Fran made landfall near Bald Head Island as a Category 3 on the heels of Hurricane Bertha, which weakened the area's protective dunes. Fran then washed away up to 30 feet of beachfront in some places, according to the National Weather Service.

5. Hurricane Donna - Sept. 11, 1960

Hurricane Donna reached Topsail Beach as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing wind gusts more than 100 mph and tides 8 feet above normal.

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Overview

  • * The pressure of 965.5 mb at the Wilmington International Airport was the fourth lowest pressure ever measured locally.
See more on weather.gov

Meteorological history

Preparations

Impact

Aftermath

See also

On August 28, 2018, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a tropical wave—an elongated trough of low air pressure—over Western Africa for possible tropical cyclogenesis within the subsequent five days. As it progressed westwards under the influence of easterly trade winds, favorable environmental conditions, including ample moisture and low wind shear, enabled further orga…

External links

Upon the designation of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six on August 30, the government of Cape Verde issued tropical storm warnings for the islands of Brava, Fogo, and Santiago. Domestic airlines cancelled 20 flights on August 31 and September 1; maritime travel was also suspended for this period. Mariners were advised to remain cautious of large swells around the islands, potentially reac…

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