Effects of Hurricane Charley in North Carolina

The effects of Hurricane Charley in North Carolina were minor to moderate and included $25 million (2004 USD) in damage. Hurricane Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, 2004, and at peak intensity it attained 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm made landfall in southwestern Florida at maximum strength, and moved northward, parallel to the U.S. East Coast before moving ashore on northeastern South Carolina.

The storm caused flooding in seven counties within the state as a result of Convert|5.05|in|mm of rainfall. Winds peaked at convert|85|mph|km/h which downed trees and power lines, and left 65,000 homes without power. A storm surge of convert|2|ft|m to convert|3|ft|m was reported, along with moderate waves that caused minor beach erosion. No deaths are attributed to the storm.

Preparations

[
August 13, 2004] On August 13, 2004, a tropical storm watch was issued for Cape Fear, southward to South Carolina. The watch was extended northward to Oregon Inlet later that day; the watch further extended to Chincoteague, Virginia. The tropical storm watch from Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet was changed to a hurricane warning. A hurricane watch was subsequently put into effect for coastal areas from Oregon Inlet to the North Carolina/Virginia border, although by August 15 all advisories were discontinued.Cite web|author=Richard J. Pasch, Daniel P. Brown, and Eric S. Blake|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Charley|year=2004|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004charley.shtml] Flood watches were also placed into effect for portions of the state.Cite web|author=Associated Press|title=Tornado outbreak hits North Carolina, killing three people, injuring 25 people|year=2004|publisher="The Union-Tribune"|accessdate=2008-05-27|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20040813-0645-ncstorms.html]

Governor Mike Easley declared a state of emergency in advance of the storm, and 200 National Guard troops were dispatched to Charlotte, Raleigh, Kinston and Lumerton, while 800 more were on standby.Cite web|author=Estes Thompson|title=State prepares for larger, unpredictable Hurricane Charley|year=2004|publisher=WCNC|accessdate=2008-05-27|url=http://www.wcnc.com/hurricane/stories/081304ccjrwcnchurricane.74c7f91a.html] On Ocracoke Island, authorities ordered mandatory evacuations, while on Bogue Banks voluntary evacuations were in place. Officials in Wrightsville Beach drove along the streets with loudspeakers mounted on trucks, warning tourists that a storm was approaching.Cite web|author=Associated Press|title=Charley strikes South Carolina|year=2004|publisher=MSNBC News|accessdate=2007-05-27|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ID/5704924/] The storm forced the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to suspend a planned opening for students moving in to residence halls. Campgrounds at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore were closed by the National Park Service and three boat ramps were closed. Duke Power Co. prepared for Charley by lowering the level of hydroelectric lakes to make room for excessive rainfall. The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources advised hog farmers to pump out their waste lagoon. About 60 Red Cross shelters were opened during the storm and during the peak of Charley, and roughly 1,600 people sought protection.cite web|author=John Covington|title=North Carolina Hurricane Charley Information|year=2004|publisher=North Carolina AARL|accessdate=2008-05-27|url=http://www.ncarrl.org/charley.html]

Impact

Hurricane Charley produced moderate to heavy rainfall over the state, peaking at Convert|5.05|in|mm|abbr=off|lk=on near Greenville; other rainfall amounts ranged from less than convert|1|in|mm|abbr=off–more than convert|4|in|mm|abbr=off. The outer rainbands began affecting the region in the early hours of August 14.cite web|author=Cole/Goodall|title=Hurricane Charley Impacts Eastern North Carolina
year=2004|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/HurricaneCharley.html] Due to widespread debris, storm drains became clogged which left flooding in some areas.Cite web|title=Hurricane Charley Event Report|year=2004|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~548393] Freshwater flooding was reported in seven counties along the coastal plain.Cite web|title=Hurricane Charley Event Report (2)|year=2004|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~548392] State highways 42Cite web|author=|title=Hurricane Charley Event Report (3)|year=2004|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~548409] and 581, as well as numerous county and local roads, were convered with at least convert|1|ft|m|abbr=off of water.Cite web|title=Hurricane Charley Event Report (4)|year=2004|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~548408] Wilmington and surrounding towns were forced to close a total of 20 streets. The heavy precipitation also caused the Neuse River to swell to flood stage. [Cite web|author=Margaret Lillard|title=Crews continue to cleanup, restore power after weekend storms|year=2004|publisher=WCNC|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/081504ccjrwcncnccleanup.7e5c8979.html] A few businesses throughout the region were damaged;Cite news|author="The Daily Reflector"|title=Lucky again — Area escapes serious damage from Charley|year=2004|publisher=|accessdate=2008-05-31] two in downtown Greenville and five others were flooded. [cite news|author=T. Scott Batchelor, Paul Dunn, and Ginger Livingston|title=Charley hits North Carolina, Pitt County|publisher="The Daily Reflector"|accessdate=2008-05-31]

The storm produced estimated storm surge of convert|2|ft|m to convert|3|ft|m, along with waves of up to convert|8|ft|m in height. However, there were isolated reports of convert|8|ft|m|abbr=off surge, particularly along the beaches of Brunswick County.Cite web|author=Wilmington Weather Forecast Office|title=Hurricane Charley Event Description|year=2004|publisher=National Weather Service|accessdate=2008-05-31|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/archive/08-14-04/index.shtml] This produced minor beach erosion along the coastline. Winds gusted from 60–70 miles per hour (95–110 km/h), causing minor wind damage. The hurricane spawned five weak tornadoes across the state,cite web|year=2004|title=Hurricane Charley Event Report (5)|publisher=National Climatic Data Center
accessdate=2006-06-20|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~553665] including an F1 in Nags Head that damaged twenty structures.cite web|year=2004|title=Hurricane Charley Event Report (6)|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|accessdate=2006-06-23|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~553679] Charley destroyed 40 houses and damaged 2,231, 231 severely, including 221 damaged beach homes in Sunset Beach. Damage was the greatest in Brunswick County, where wind gusts peaked at 85 miles per hour (137 km/h). The winds blew down chimneys and damaged a roof on one building, and ripped the siding off another. [Cite news|author=Lauren King|title=Charley Delivers Glancing Blow|year=2004|publisher="The Virginia Pilot"|accessdate=2008-05-31] Crop damage was also heavy in Brunswick County, with 50% of the tobacco crop lost and 30% of the corn and vegetable fields destroyed. Strong winds downed trees and power lines, leaving 65,000 homes without power.Cite web|year=2004|title=Event Report for North Carolina (3)|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|accessdate=2006-06-23|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~553666] Damage in North Carolina totaled to $25 million (2004 USD).

ee also

*List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–present)

References