• Hurricane Connie
• Hurricane Diane
• Hurricane Ione

Hurricane Connie

Figure 1.12

Date: August 12, 1955, morning

Landfall Location: Cape Lookout, North Carolina

Category: 1 (at landfall in N.C.), 4 (Highest)

Wind Speed: 72-83 miles per hour (North Carolina), 145 miles per hour (Highest)

Major Areas Affected: Eastern counties of the state: Carteret County, Albermarle and Pamlico Sound, Morehead City, Cape Lookout

Major Damage: Agricultural (farmland), beach erosion, and structural.

Total Dollar Damage: Total damage amount was combined with Hurricane Diane estimates

Deaths: 0 (North Carolina)

Injuries: Not available

Special Details: Several tornadoes reported. Torrential rains and prolonged high tides caused extensive flooding, large storm surge, and severe beach erosion (worse than Hurricane Hazel).

Hurricane Diane

Figure 1.13

Date: August 17, 1955, morning

Landfall Location: Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Category: 1 (at landfall in N.C.), 3 (Highest)

Wind Speed: 75 miles per hour(North Carolina) 120 miles per hour (Highest-estimated)

Major Areas Affected: Eastern part of the state, Carolina Beach, Raleigh-Durham

Major Damage: Agriculture (crops damaged by flood waters).

Total Dollar Damage: $80 million (North Carolina for both Hurricane Connie and Diane)

Deaths: 0 (North Carolina)

Injuries: Not available

Special Details: Hit days apart from Hurricane Connie. Brought torrential rains causing widespread flooding. High tides were 5 to 9 feet above mean low water.

Hurricane Ione

Figure 1.14

Date: September 19, 1955, morning

Landfall Location: Salter Path, North Carolina

Category: 1 (at landfall in N.C.), 3 (highest)

Wind Speed: 75 mph (North Carolina), 125 (Highest)

Major areas affected: Eastern portion of the state, Outer Banks

Major damage categories: Agricultural ($46 million), structural, and environmental (25-mile dune structure swept away).

Total Dollar Damage: $88 million (North Carolina)

Deaths: 7 (North Carolina)

Injuries: Not available

Special Details: Third hurricane in five weeks. Unprecedented amount of rain (record precipitation). Most damage was caused by the extensive flooding.

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