List of North Carolina hurricanes (1950–1979)

The list of North Carolina hurricanes between 1950 and 1979 encompasses 79 tropical or subtropical cyclones that affected the U.S. state of North Carolina. Collectively, cyclones in North Carolina during that time period resulted in 37 total fatalities during the period, as well as about $3 billion in damage in 2008 USD. A cyclone affected the state in every year during the three decades, and in three seasons a total of five cyclones impacted the state. The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the time period was Hurricane Hazel, which struck the state as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Hazel was both the costliest and deadliest cyclone during the period, causing over $1 billion in damage (2008 USD) and 19 deaths. Most storms affected the state in September, though cyclones impacted the state between May and October.

1950s

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Hurricane Connie near North Carolina]
*August 20, 1950 – Hurricane Able brushes the Outer Banks with light winds and rough waves. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1950-08-21|title=North Carolina's East Coast Areas Return to Normal|accessdate=2008-02-08|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*September 7, 1950 – Former Hurricane Easy weakens to tropical depression status over Georgia, bringing heavy rainfall to North Carolina which peaks at convert|9.14|in|mm|0 in Yancey County.
*September 11, 1950 – Hurricane Dog skirts the coastline as it remains well offshore. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1950-09-11|title=Hurricane Off North Carolina; Another On Way|accessdate=2008-02-08|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*May 21, 1951 – Hurricane Able produces high surf along the coastline.cite news|author=Associated Press|date=1951-05-21|title=Coast Alerted for Hurricane|accessdate=2008-02-08|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*October 4, 1951 – Hurricane How brushes the coastline with heavy surf. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1951-10-04|title=Giant Hurricane Heads Into the Open Atlantic|accessdate=2008-02-08|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*August 31, 1952 – Tropical Storm Able crosses the center portion of the state, causing moderate precipitation and stream flooding.
*August 14, 1953 – Hurricane Barbara moves ashore near Morehead City with convert|90|mph|km/h|0 wind gusts and rainfall, which causes about $1.1 million in damage (1953 USD, $8.9 million 2008 USD), mostly from crop damage; one person drowned due to the storm.
*September 28, 1953 – Moisture from former Hurricane Florence brings moderate rainfall to the state. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1953-09-28|title=Heavy Rains Hit Sections of Southeast|accessdate=2008-02-09|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*August 30, 1954 – Hurricane Carol passes just east of the state, producing convert|100|mph|km/h|0 wind gusts and rough waves along the Outer Banks; damage is minor, largely limited to crop damage.
*September 10, 1954 – Strong waves from Hurricane Edna cause widespread but minor damage to the Outer Banks.
*October 15, 1954 – Hurricane Hazel moves ashore near the South Carolina/North Carolina border as a Category 4 hurricane,cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2006|title=Chronological List of All Hurricanes which Affected the Continental United States: 1851-2005|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2008-02-16|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/ushurrlist.htm] destroying 15,000 buildings and damaging 39,000 more. Damage is greatest in Brunswick County, where great coastal damage occurs due to a powerful storm tide. Considered the most destructive hurricane to affect the state at the time, the hurricane causes an estimated damage total of $136 million (1954 USD, $1.09 billion 2008 USD). Hurricane Hazel injures 200 and kills 19 people in the state. [cite web|author=NOAA Coastal Services Center|year=1999|title=New Hanover County, North Carolina Case Study on Hurricane Hazel|accessdate=2008-02-16|url=http://www.csc.noaa.gov/products/nchaz/htm/hazel.htm]
*August 12, 1955 – Hurricane Connie strikes the Outer Banks and produces severe beach erosion.cite web|author=Dunn, Davis, and Moore|year=1955|title=Hurricanes of 1955|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-16|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/083/mwr-083-12-0315.pdf|format=PDF] It drops up to convert|12|in|mm|0 of precipitation, which floods large areas of crop lands. No deaths are reported in the state, and damage accrues to $80 million (1955 USD, $640 million 2008 USD).
*August 17, 1955 – Hurricane Diane makes landfall near Wilmington, producing further beach erosion and flooding just five days after the previous hurricane. Wind damage is light, and no fatalities or injuries occur in the state.
*September 19, 1955 – Moving ashore near Morehead City, Hurricane Ione drops heavy rainfall which peaks at convert|16.6|in|mm|0 near Maysville. [cite web|author=David Roth|year=2007|title=Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Ione|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2008-02-16|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/ione1955.html] The combination of high tides and rainfall leaves large portions of eastern North Carolina flooded, including large areas of crop lands. The hurricane kills seven, of which two indirectly due to traffic accidents, and damage totals to $88 million (1955 USD, $708 million 2008 USD).
*August 16, 1956 – Hurricane Betsy brushes the coastline with rainfall. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1956-08-17|title=Rain Postpones Junior Tourney|accessdate=2008-02-16|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*September 8, 1956 – The interaction between a high pressure system and Tropical Storm Carla produces moderate winds along the coastline.cite web|author=Dunn, Davis, and Moore|year=1956|title=Hurricane Season of 1956|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-16|format=PDF|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/084/mwr-084-12-0436.pdf]
*September 26, 1956 – The extratropical remains of Hurricane Flossy produce moderate rainfall across much of the state, which is beneficial after previous dry conditions.
*October, 1956 – A quasi-tropical storm passes over the Outer Banks.
*September 9, 1957 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Debbie brings light rainfall to the state.cite web|author=Emanuel Ballenzweig|year=1957|title=The Weather and Circulation of September 1957|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-16|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/085/mwr-085-09-0315.pdf|format=PDF]
*September 18, 1957 – A weak tropical depression crosses the state.
*August 28, 1958 – Hurricane Daisy passes just offshore, producing light winds but little damage.cite web|author=U.S. Weather Bureau|year=1958|title=The Hurricane Season of 1958|accessdate=2008-02-16|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/086/mwr-086-12-0477.pdf|format=PDF]
*September 27, 1958 – Hurricane Helene parallels the coastline just offshore with wind gusts reaching convert|135|mph|km/h|0. The winds cause moderate structural and crop damage, totaling about $11 million (1958 USD, $82 million 2008 USD).
*July 10, 1959 – Tropical Depression Cindy crosses through the state, producing heavy rainfall and some tornadoes.cite web|author=Gordon E. Dunn and Staff|year=1959|title=The Hurricane Season of 1959|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-17|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/087/mwr-087-12-0441.pdf|format=PDF]
*September 30, 1959 – Former Hurricane Gracie passes through the central portion of the state and causes moderate tides near the coastline, as well as heavy rainfall in the inland mountains region.

1960s

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right|thumb|200px|Rainfall_Summary_for_Hurricane Donna]
*July 29, 1960 – Crossing the eastern portion of the state, Tropical Storm Brenda produces locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
*September 12, 1960 – Hurricane Donna moves across the Outer Banks, causing heavy damage from the combination of high winds and waves. Up to a distance of 50 miles (80 km) inland, strong winds down trees and crops, and damage in the state totals $56.5 million (1960 USD, $422 million 2008 USD).cite web|author=Gordon E. Dunn|year=1961|title=The Hurricane Season of 1960|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-17|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/089/mwr-089-03-0099.pdf|format=PDF] Across the state, over 100 people are injured, and eight people are killed, of which five directly.
*September 14, 1961 – A tropical storm strikes the state, though no serious damage is reported. [cite web|author=Richard Fay|year=1962|title=Northbound Tropical Cyclone|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-17|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/089/mwr-089-03-0099.pdf|format=PDF]
*September 20, 1961 – Hurricane Esther passes offshore with slightly above normal tides and light winds.
*September 28, 1962 – Tropical Storm Alma attains hurricane status near the Outer Banks, though winds on land are minor, and little damage is reported.
*October 12, 1962 – The interaction between Hurricane Ella and a high pressure system produces above normal tides and beach erosion along the coastline.
*October, 1963 – Hurricane Ginny affects the coastline for about a week with rough winds, which cause severe beach erosion; the hurricane destroys one house, though overall damage was limited.
*August 30, 1964 – Former Hurricane Cleo enters the state as a tropical depression, spawning several tornadoes and dropping heavy rainfall.
*September 13, 1964 – Paralleling the coastline just offshore, Tropical Storm Dora causes some beach erosion and precipitation.
*September 21, 1964 – Hurricane Gladys causes high tides along the coastline.
*October 5, 1964 – The remnants of Hurricane Hilda drop moderate to heavy precipitation across the state.
*October 16, 1964 – Hurricane Isbell makes landfall near Morehead City with gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall; damage is minor.
*June 16, 1965 – A former tropical storm crosses through the state.cite web|author=Arnold Sugg|year=1966|title=The Hurricane Season of 1966|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-18|format=PDF|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/094/mwr-094-03-0183.pdf]
*September 12, 1965 – After becoming extratropical over the Ohio Valley, the remnants of Hurricane Betsy bring light rainfall to the state.
*June 11, 1966 – Hurricane Alma parallels the coastline offshore, producing above normal tides and moderate precipitation.
*August 29, 1966 – Rough seas from Hurricane Faith cause four drownings along the coastline. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1966-09-02|title=Hurricane Faith|accessdate=2008-02-18|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*September 16, 1967 – Tropical Storm Doria enters the state from the northeast with slightly above normal tides; damage is minor.
*June 9, 1968 – Former Hurricane Abby moves across much of the state, dropping moderate precipitation and spawning a tornado near Charlotte.
*October 19, 1968 – Hurricane Gladys passes just offshore, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall across the state; the rainfall is beneficial due to previously dry conditions.
*August 20, 1969 – The remnants of Hurricane Camille drop light rainfall across the western portion of the state.
*September 9, 1969 – Hurricane Gerda brushes the coastline with light winds and rainfall.
*September 24, 1969 – A tropical depression brings light precipitation to much of the state.
*October 15, 1969 – Originally predicted to strike the Outer Banks, Hurricane Kara passes offshore, only affecting small craft. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1969-10-15|title=Kara Turns Out to Sea|accessdate=2008-02-18|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

1970s

*May 26, 1970 – The remnants of Hurricane Alma cross the eastern portion of the state.cite web| author=NHC Hurricane Research Division|title=Atlantic hurricane best track|publisher=NOAA|year=2007|accessdate=2008-01-31|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5106.html]
*August 17, 1970 – An unnamed tropical depression moves across the Outer Banks, bringing locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds. [cite web|author=David B. Spiegler|year=1971|title=The Unnamed Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1970|publisher=U.S. Weather Service|accessdate=2008-01-31|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/099/mwr-099-12-0966.pdf|format=PDF]
*August 17, 1971 – A tropical depression moving through the southeastern United States drops up to convert|12|in|mm|0 in the state. [cite web|author=Raymond A. Green|year=1971|title=Weather and Circulation of August 1971|publisher=U.S. Weather Service|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-01-31|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/099/mwr-099-11-0889.pdf]
*August 27, 1971 – Tropical Storm Doria makes landfall near Morehead City, which causes mudslides from heavy rainfall but overall light damage.cite web|author=James E. Hudgins|year=2000|title=Tropical Cyclones Affecting North Carolina since 1566 – An Historical Perspective|publisher=Blacksburg, Virginia National Weather Service|accessdate=2008-01-31|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070311045226/http://repository.wrclib.noaa.gov/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=nws_tech_memos]
*September 12, 1971 – A tropical depression dissipates in the state after entering through South Carolina. [cite web|author=Neil Frank|year=1972|title=Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1971|publisher=U.S. Weather Service|accessdate=2008-01-31|format=PDF|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/100/mwr-100-04-0268.pdf]
*September 19, 1971 – The remnants of Hurricane Edith drop moderate precipitation in the western portion of the state.cite web|author=David Roth|year=2008|title=Tropical cyclone rainfall in the southeast|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2008-01-31|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/tcsoutheast.html]
*September 30, 1971 – Hurricane Ginger makes landfall near Atlantic Beach and slowly moves across the state, dropping heavy rainfall peaking at convert|15.6|in|mm|0 at Bodie Island. The precipitation causes severe crop damage totaling $10 million (1971 USD, $53 million 2008 USD).
*May 26, 1972 – Subtropical Storm Alpha attains gale force winds to the southeast of the Outer Banks after dropping convert|6.97|in|mm|0 of rainfall at Ocracoke.
*June 21, 1972 – The remnants of Hurricane Agnes re-attain tropical storm status over the northeastern portion of the state. The interaction with a low to its west results in heavy rainfall of up to convert|10.6|in|mm|0 on Mount Mitchell, which causes record river flooding and severe crop damage. Throughout the state, Agnes causes two deaths and $6.56 million in damage (1972 USD, $33.8 million 2008 USD). [cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1972|title=U.S. Deaths and Damage Attributed to Hurricane Agnes|accessdate=2008-02-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1972-prelim/agnes/prelim09.gif]
*July 12, 1972 – A tropical depression moves ashore near the South Carolina/North Carolina border. [cite web|author=Neil Frank|year=1973|title=Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1972|publisher=U.S. Weather Service|accessdate=2008-02-01|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/101/mwr-101-04-0334.pdf|format=PDF]
*August 31, 1972 – Attaining tropical storm status to the southeast of the state, Tropical Storm Carrie drops light precipitation along the coastline.
*September 15, 1972 – The remnants of Hurricane Dawn dissipate offshore of South Carolina, dropping very light rainfall in North Carolina.
*October 24, 1973 – The remnants of Tropical Depression Gilda reform into a large subtropical cyclone, which produces gale force winds and beach erosion along the Outer Banks. [cite web|author=Paul Hebert and Neil Frank|year=1974|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1973|publisher=U.S. Weather Service|accessdate=2008-02-02|url=http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0493/102/4/pdf/i1520-0493-102-4-280.pdf]
*June 26, 1974 – The first subtropical storm of the season brushes the coastline with light rainfall.
*June 26, 1974 – A tropical depression transitions into an extratropical cyclone, with its remnants dropping moderate precipitation near the coastline.
*October 8, 1974 – The fourth subtropical storm of the season produces rainfall in the eastern portion of the state as it parallels offshore.
*June 29, 1975 – A tropical depression intensifies into Tropical Storm Amy, after brushing the Outer Banks with light rainfall.
*September 24, 1975 – The remnants of Hurricane Eloise become extratropical over eastern Tennessee, spawning a few tornadoes and dropping moderate precipitation across western North Carolina. [cite web|author=David Carragan|title=Hurricane Eloise - Super 70's|accessdate=2008-02-02|url=http://www.super70s.com/Super70s/Tech/Nature/Disasters/Hurricanes/75Sept27-Eloise.asp]
*October 2, 1975 – Hurricane Gladys threatens the Outer Banks with rough waves, but remains well offshore. [cite web|author=United Press International|date=1975-10-02|title=Hurricane Gladys Turns from Land|accessdate=2008-02-02|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|format=PDF]
*October 27, 1975 – Tropical Storm Hallie brushes the coastline with light precipitation.
*May 24, 1976 – Subtropical Storm One drops light rainfall near the coastline as parallels the coastline.
*August 9, 1976 – Hurricane Belle passes just offshore, producing strong wind gusts and a moderate storm tide that left areas flooded. [cite web|author=Miles Lawrence|year=1977|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976|publisher=American Meteorological Society|accessdate=2008-02-02|url=http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0493/105/4/pdf/i1520-0493-105-4-497.pdf] [cite web|date=1976-08-09|title=First Hurricane of the Season Nears No. Carolina Coast|author=United Press International|accessdate=2008-02-02|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]
*August 20, 1976 – Tropical Storm Dottie moves ashore along South Carolina, causing beach erosion and locally heavy rainfall in southern North Carolina.
*September 15, 1976 – A subtropical depression brings moderate rainfall as it crosses the state.
*September 6, 1977 – The tropical depression that later becomes Hurricane Clara brushes the coastline with light precipitation.
*September 9, 1977 – The remnants of Hurricane Babe near the South Carolina/North Carolina border, producing rainfall across the entire state that peaks at convert|8.99|in|mm|0 in Transylvania County.
*August 29, 1978 – Tropical Storm Debra strikes Louisiana, with its remnants producing rainfall in the northern North Carlina. [cite web|author=David Roth|year=2007|title=Rainfall Summary for Tropical Storm Debra|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2008-02-03|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/debra1978.html]
*September 2, 1978 – Hurricane Ella turns northeastward well offshore after threatening the Outer Banks; it causes some beach erosion and loss of tourism during the traditionally busy Labor Day Weekend.
*July 15, 1979 – The remnants of Hurricane Bob cross the eastern portion of the state from north to south, exiting into the Atlantic Ocean near Morehead City after dropping light rainfall. [cite web|author=David Roth|year=2007|title=Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Bob|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2008-02-03|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/bob1979.html]
*July 31, 1979 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Claudette dissipate after producing light rainfall in the northeastern portion of the state. [cite web|author=David Roth|year=2007|title=Rainfall Summary for Tropical Storm Claudette|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2008-02-03|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/claudette1979.html]
*September 5, 1979 – Former Hurricane David crosses the central portion of the state, dropping heavy rainfall peaking at convert|15.4|in|mm|0 in New Holland. The storm causes flooding and beach erosion, though no significant damage is reported.
*September 14, 1979 – Former Hurricane Frederic passes through eastern Tennessee, and drops locally moderate precipitation in western North Carolina. [cite web|author=David Roth|year=2007|title=Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Frederic|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2008-02-03|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/frederic1979.html]

Monthly statistics

DateFormat=yyyyImageSize= width:350 height:auto barincrement:46Period = from:0 till:40TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalPlotArea = right:10 left:5 bottom:40 top:5

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bar:May from:0 till:4 color:cat5red text:"May" bar:Jun from:0 till:7 color:cat5red text:"June" bar:Jul from:0 till:5 color:cat5red text:"July" bar:Aug from:0 till:18 color:cat5red text:"August" bar:Sep from:0 till:32 color:cat5red text:"September" bar:Oct from:0 till:13 color:cat5red text:"October"

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:0ScaleMinor = gridcolor:minorline unit:year increment:1 start:0

TextData = fontsize:M textcolor:black pos:(100,25) # tabs:(100-left) text:"Number of storms affecting North Carolina"

Deadly storms

The table lists hurricanes by death tolls. Direct deaths are those that are directly caused by the storm passage, such as drownings or deaths from being struck by windblown objects. Indirect deaths are those that are related to the storm, but not directly from its storm effects.

ee also

*Geography of North Carolina
*List of North Carolina hurricanes

References