Figure 1.21

Date: August 26, 1998

Landfall Location: Cape Fear, North Carolina

Category: 2 (at landfall in N.C.), 3 (Highest)

Wind Speed: 110 miles per hour (North Carolina), 115 miles per hour (Highest)

Major Areas Affected: New Hanover County, Pender, and Onslow. Also other Coastal and eastern parts of North Carolina

Major Damage Types: Agricultural (tobacco crop was worst hit), and some structural

Total Dollar Damage: Between $1 and $2 billion (North Carolina)

Deaths: 1 (North Carolina)

Injuries: Not available

Structural Damage: Comparable to Hurricane Bertha

Special Details: Hurricane Bonnie pounded the coast of North Carolina for two days. The hurricane was the size of Texas. Hurricane force winds detected up to 115 miles outward and tropical storm force winds detected 230 miles from storm center. Torrential rains occurred. Flooding in New Hanover County was about 2 feet higher than Bertha and 2 feet lower than Fran.

Return to Hazard History