Tropical Storm, Pender
- When
- August 31, 6:30 PM EST to 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Pender forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $1.2 million
- Reported by
- NWS STORM SURVEY
Ernesto moved off the Florida coast at Cape Canaveral on the morning of August 31st, and reached tropical storm strength by late morning while off the Georgia coast. Tropical storm Ernesto made landfall on the eastern coast of Brunswick county near 10:30 pm EST. The maximum wind speed was recorded at Wrightsville Beach at 74 mph. A 66 mph wind gusts was recorded at Kure Beach and at Bald Head Island the peak wind was 65 mph. Anemometers across the of southeast North Carolina recorded lesser wind speeds, with wind gusts averaging between 35-50 mph. Thousands of residents lost power at the height of the storm. During the early morning hours Ernesto moved north, and Tropical Storm warnings were lowered for southeast North Carolina at 7:00 am EST, September 1st. Most of the property damage was due to rainfall and fresh water flooding, with little structural damage from wind. Rainfall storm totals ranged from 4.5 inches in Columbus county to nearly 12 inches along the coast of Pender county. In Pender county, the Northeast Cape Fear river crested at 16.7 feet, almost 7 feet above the flood stage of 10 feet. This was the second highest crest on record, exceeded only by Hurricane Floyd at 22.5 feet. Flooding on the Northeast Cape Fear river caused 1600 people to evacuate near the town of Burgaw, including the Birch Creek and River Bend communities. The heavy rains contributed to multiple sewer spills, most notable in New Hanover county. Crop damage was extensive, particularly in Columbus and Pender counties. In Pender county, over 12000 acres of corn were destroyed, 13000 acres of soybeans, 7000 acres of cotton, and 760 acres of tobacco were also damaged. Thousands of turkeys and chickens were also lost due to the tropical storm. Along the coast, storm surge was less than 3 ft. Beach erosion was minor to moderate, with some dune loss mainly at Topsail Island.