What is the worst Hurricane to hit or brush North Carolina

[Jim Cantore]

In the last 20 years (I couldnt fit that on the subject line) If I did this with Florida Andrew and Charley would run away with it but this should be closer.

[wxmann_91]

Either Fran or Floyd, but Floyd cause it killed more and caused more damage.

Hurricane Floyd, I might want to give you a suggestion: don't create too many polls! The administrators and moderators have already made some threats regarding eliminating polls because supposedly some have "abused the power to post polls". So if I were you don't continue creating polls, already had the problem twice this year. Save the "what is the worst hurricane to hit TX, LA, MS, AL, New England, etc....." for later. Just my humble opinion here, please don't take it personally.

[Jim Cantore]

good point there

Maybe I'll make like 1 a month or something or with the anniversary of a major hurricane

[NCHurricane]

I would have to say Floyd is the worst, with Isabel being a close second.

The flooding with Floyd (with an assist by Dennis 1&2) was by far the biggest impact. There were rivers in eastern NC that exceeded their flood stage by 20 feet or more. The winds were really a non-factor for everyne except along the immediate coast. There were power outages and fallen trees and such, but the water that fell out of that storm was incredible. Just in parts of the county were I grew up, the totals went well over 20 inches. Also 35 people lost their lives in Floyd.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1999floyd.html

Isabel was a lot more wind than rain. North of US 264 (for the most part) recieved lots of tree and property damage. There was one report (that I can't find now) that claimed the northeastern part of the state received around 25% tree lost in the forest. The worst county was my home county (Bertie), which had anywhere from 45-60% tree loss (especially in the northern part). Six people lost their lives in Isabel.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003isabel.shtml

I just thank the good Lord everytime one hits that it's not of Hazel strength.

Edit: Of course, if one person received more damage from a lesser storm than these, then they would consider them a worse storm. It's all a matter of perspective. I just didn't want to lessen anyone else's hardships from any other storm.

[JtSmarts]

Gotta say Floyd

[nequad]

All- time storms for N.C. ...




San Ciriaco Hurricane of 1899 (August 16-18)
The 1933 Hurricane (August 22-23)
The Great hurricane of 1944(Sept 14th)
Hurricane Hazel (October 15 1954)
Hurricane Donna (Sept 11 1960)


If I had to rate these 5, my list would be like this...

1. Hazel
2. San Ciriaco
3. 1933
4. Donna
5. 1944

[nequad]

Perhaps Floyd could over take Donna and the '44 storm to be in the top 5 all time.

[flair]

Hugo did more damage in NC than either Isabel or Gloria, Charlotte westward to the mountains was a disaster zone. I agree with Floyd being #1, but Hazel was a benchmark 'cane and gets 2nd with me.

[OuterBanker]

Floyd was the largest natural diaster in NC history (3 billion).

[Astro_man92]

Floyd because well as far as I know Floyd caused MAJOR flooding

[storms in NC]

Floyd because well as far as I know Floyd caused MAJOR flooding

I know it very well. Left my house in a boat. But as far as wind fran

[vacanechaser]

All good points.. Floyd is certainly the top runner here,,, However, Hazel is regarded as the worst hurricane to hit North Carolina...


Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com
Hurricane Intercept Research Team

[obxicane]

I'd go with Floyd also. My next door neighbor evacuated to Tarboro and could not get home for 7 to 10 days because of the flooding.

I did not get to see it, but I understand a mobile home I used to live in near Greenville was completely submerged. And it was about 1-2 miles from the Tar River.

[shaggy]

floyd had more damage inland with the major flooding but fran was a major wind producer.I was 130 norths of the landfall with fran and the closest she got was 70 miles and we had a high wind gust of 106mph here

[hurricanefreak1988]

Well, if you live where I do, Fran was easily the worst. September 5, 1996. Still haven't forgotten the date.

[shaggy]

obxicane where did you live near greenville?I live just outside greenville now about 2 miles south of the tar? Remember hearing and seeing helicopters for about 2 days rescueing people was really and sight to remember.Not to mention a guy drowned less than 1/4 mile from the house and we helped look for him during the flash flood the night floyd hit.The road was overwashed with water and the troopers were on one side and us on the other looking for him but never found him was hard to deal with the fact that we were HELPLESS and we were the only ones around that could have helped him.