Weather Related – Boundless Curiosity

Rain, Snow, Storms, Hurricanes

Some of the Weather Events we have experienced living here on the Outer Banks.

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Rain, Nor'Easters, and Tropical Storms

There is a difference between Nor'easters and Tropical Storms.

Nor'easters are cold-core low-pressure systems that form along the East Coast of North America, typically between September and April. They are caused by the clash of cold air from the north and warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean. Nor'easters can produce a variety of weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, coastal flooding, and strong winds.

Tropical storms are warm-core low-pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters. They are fueled by the latent heat released when water vapor condenses into clouds and rain. Tropical storms have sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. If a tropical storm's sustained winds reach 74 mph or higher, it becomes a hurricane.

November, 2008 Rain Event From Hurricane Hanna

A rain event hit Hatteras Island in November, 2008 and dropped enough rain to flood Hwy 12 in Avon. This isn't an unusual event here. This event was caused by Hurricane Hanna which didn't hit us directly but was close enough to cause this situation.

Hurricane Section

September 18, 2003. - Hurricane Isabel

Hurricane Isabel made landfall on the North Carolina Outer Banks between Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras on Thursday afternoon, September 18, 2003.

Buxton after Hurricane Isabel

Frisco the day after Hurricane Isabel

Hatteras Village was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Isabel. Isabel cut a new inlet from the sound to the ocean cutting off Hatteras Village from the rest of Hatteras Island. Other than the photo of the new Inlet, all these photos of the damage to Hatteras Village were taken by a fellow worker of mine – Wayne Wrenn.

Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo didn’t suffer too much but Highway 12 into the villages was heavily damaged and the beaches of Hatteras Island were pretty torn up.

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August 25, 2011 - Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene was a nasty piece of work. Irene caused 49 deaths and over $14 billion in damage. The storm was the costliest hurricane on record in the United States at the time and it remained so until Hurricane Sandy surpassed it in 2012.

Photos below taken from the Rodanthe Water Plant on Hatteras Island during Hurricane Irene

Photos below taken August 26, 2011, the day after Hurricane Irene showing some of the damage done to the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo on Hatteras Island, NC.

These photos were taken in the Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo area one month after Hurricane Irene. They show some of the ongoing cleanup required still being performed as a result of the storm.

Photos after three months of cleanup and repairs showing some of the work still needed to be completed to get back to normal life.