• Tornadoes
• Coastal Erosion
• Wildfires
• Earthquakes

Tornadoes

On April 3 to 4, 1974, an outbreak of tornadic activity called the "Deadly Half Dozen" was recorded in North Carolina. This episode was one of the six worst outbreaks in history, killing 315 people and affecting 13 states. Murphy and Caldwell Counties in North Carolina were affected by the deadly half dozen tornadic episode, leaving six people dead.

The deadliest year for tornado occurrences was 1984. Tornadoes scaled as high as F4 on the Fujita Scale were detected in some of the counties. Reparations for North Carolina reached $105 million, with a death toll of 44 and 812 injured. The overall tornado count for the Carolinas that year was 22, with 57 fatalities, 1,248 injuries, and $200 million in damage. Thirty-seven percent of the fatalities occurred to people residing in mobile homes.

On November 28, 1988, nine counties were affected by tornadoes, causing $77 million in damage, injuring 156 people, and killing 4 people. These tornadoes ranged in scale from F1 to F4. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declarations were estimated at $858,000. Approximately five months later, in May, 1999, tornadoes ranging in scale from F0 to F4 tore through 22 counties, injuring 159 people and causing five deaths. Damages were estimated at $102 million dollars and disaster declarations reached $6,347,780. The Palm Sunday storms generated numerous tornadoes originating in Alabama. They killed two people in North Carolina, and caused damages estimated at $22 million. Overall 40 counties were affected in North Carolina.

In Wilmington, on January 8, 1998, an F1 tornado touched down. It tossed a station wagon 100 feet into the air and tipped a truck on its side. A convenience store and manufacturing plant were damaged as well. Property damage amounted to $175,000. On May 23,1998, in Wilmington another F1 tornado touchdown occurred on U.S. 421, and proceeded southeast to Monkey Junction at N.C. 132. Damage was spotty. A 30-foot camper trailer was tossed 150 feet into a vacant mobile home, destroying both. Roofing from another building broke through a windshield, injuring a woman. Damage was estimated at $50,000. A month later, on June 19, 1998, in Wilmington, an F1 tornado touched down near the Railroad Museum and tracked a spotty path to 23rd Street, near Smith Creek. Trees, homes, and businesses were damaged. The property damage was $150,000. Throughout New Hanover's history there have been many waterspouts as well.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Tornado Disaster Declarations for North Carolina
Figure 1.23

Coastal Erosion

The 1960s:

The Ash Wednesday Storm in 1962 caused coastal erosion. In 1964, wind-driven water from Hurricane Gladys caused severe erosion of the dunes for half of the coastline of North Carolina.

The 1970s:

In February 1979, Wrightsville and Carolina Beaches experienced high tides, which in turn caused a berm to cut back 5 to 12 feet. There was bulkhead damage on Shell Island and a fishing pier was damaged.

In April 1979, a house on Shell Island experienced the effects of severe erosion.

In September 1979, Hurricane David caused severe coastal erosion.

The 1980s:

In June 1982, minor beach erosion was caused by a sub-tropical storm hitting North Carolina.

In March 1983, a northeaster caused significant damage to sand dunes, piers, and sea walls. Overwash was significant causing a major highway to be closed.

In September 1984, Hurricane Diana caused 10 to 20 feet of berm at Wrightsville beach to erode but was a normal and expected adjustment of the beach nourishment project for that area. Carolina Beach and parts of Brunswick County experienced some erosional effects from the storm.

The 1990s:

In November 1994, Hurricane Gordon caused severe erosion to the coastal areas.

In December 1994, a pressure gradient caused the tide to cut an 8-foot ledge in the sand on Wrightsville Beach. Carolina Beach's sand dunes were breached by the surf and caused some roads to be closed.

In September 1995, Hurricane Luis caused 6 to 12 feet of the frontal dune line to be eroded in the Bogue Banks.

In 1996, Hurricane's Bertha and Fran caused coastal erosion. Bertha caused significant erosion but Fran's was more severe because the beaches did not have time to recover from Hurricane Bertha.

In February 1998, a northeaster caused heavy surf and high tides two feet above normal in Wrightsville and Kure Beaches. Four feet of dunes were eroded and minor overwash occurred.

In August 1998, Hurricane Bonnie caused storm surges of five to seven feet and caused overwash of the barrier islands.

Several beach nourishment projects have been underway in New Hanover County and have protected the beaches significantly from major beach erosion when storms have occurred.

Wildfires

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Wildfire Data from North Carolina Department
of Environment and Natural Resources: 1928 to 1996

The data presented in the graphs is for the entire state of North Carolina and was compiled from a summary of the number of fires and acres burned in North Carolina from 1928-1996.

Earthquakes

Figure 1.24. A map showing geological and seismic information for North Carolina. (Image courtesy: North Carolina Geological Survey)

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