Hurricane and Tornadoes in North Carolina, September 13 to 18, 2018

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 16 to 20 over the county with a storm total of 26.26 1 mile west-northwest of Albertson and 19.98 in Mount Olive. Extremely heavy rainfall across the county initially lead to flash flooding and numerous road washouts. This quickly transitioned to river flooding as the Northeast Cape Fear River rose rapidly, flooding countless roadways and homes along and far away from the river with numerous tributary streams flooding as well. Portions of interstate 40 were closed near Wallace due to river flooding, as the river shattered its previous record crest from Hurricane Floyd. The preliminary crest for the Northeast Cape Fear River at Chinquapin is 25.77 feet, which is more than 2 feet above the flood of record (Floyd). Gusty north-northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 56 mph at Duplin County Airport at 225 AM EST on September 14th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages.

A first ever, county wide mandatory evacuation was issued prior to Florence. Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 20 to 25 over the county with a storm total of 25.62 at the National Weather Service office in Newport. Extremely heavy rainfall across the county initially lead to flash flooding with numerous roads that were impassable. The Newport River for the first time in recent history overflowed its banks and inundated many homes and businesses near the river. Over 400 water rescues were reported in the county, most of which were along and near the Newport River. US 70 was closed in numerous spots between Havelock and Morehead City due to floodwaters rushing over the roadway. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 106 mph at Cape Lookout at 617 LST on September 13th and a 105 mph gust at Fort Macon at 723 PM EST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages. Preliminary storm surge values (above ground level) of 2 to 3 feet were found in Morehead City and Atlantic Beach, with 2 to 4 feet above ground level found in Salty Shores (Newport) and Cedar Key. 2.7 feet of storm surge was found along Goose Creek. Nearby it was estimated around 3 feet of surge covered highway 24 near the Town of Bogue, and closed the roadway on September 14th near high tide. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 1 tornado occurred at Open Grounds Farms. Several outbuildings and large silos were damaged. Maximum winds were estimated at 100 to 110 mph. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 1 tornado touched down near Davis on 9/14 at 1101 EST. Maximum estimated winds were around 90 mph. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 1 tornado occurred near Otway on 9/14 at 1215 EST in rural Eastern Carteret County. Maximum estimated winds were around 100 mph. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 1 tornado 2 miles northeast of Stella on 9/14 at 2128 EST in Carteret County and White Oak township in southern Jones county. Maximum estimated winds were around 100 mph.

A first ever, county wide mandatory evacuation was issued prior to Florence. Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 20 to 30 over the county with a storm total of 34.15 in Swansboro. Extremely heavy rainfall across the county initially lead to flash flooding with numerous roads that were impassable. Extreme rainfall in the upper reaches of the New River in central and northern Onslow County led to devastating flooding near the river as hundreds of homes became inundated soon after the rain fell. Record flooding along the New River was observed with a preliminary crest of 3 to 5 feet higher than the previous flood of record (Floyd). Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 86 mph at New River Air Station at 905 LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages. Preliminary storm surge values (above ground level) of 2 to 3 feet were found in North Topsail Beach with 5 to 6 feet of surge along the New River In Jacksonville around the Old Bridge Street Bridge. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 1 tornado occurred in Camp Lejeune on 9/15 at 200 EST. Maximum winds were estimated at around 90 mph.

A first ever, county wide mandatory evacuation was issued prior to Florence. Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 8 to 12 over the north part of the county north of New Bern, with 15 to 20 south of New Bern over the south part of the County. Trent Woods had a storm total of 17.35 . Extremely heavy rainfall across the county initially lead to flash flooding with numerous roads that were impassable. Extreme rainfall led to flooding along the Neuse River with many homes and roads being inundated on the north side of the river above New Bern. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 87 mph at Cherry Point at 845 LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages. Significant storm surge flooding occurred the evening of Thursday September 13th into the early morning of Friday September 14th along the Neuse River near and in New Bern. Over 1,800 water recues were performed, many of which were directly related to the storm surge flooding. Preliminary storm surge values (above ground level) of 5 to 8 were found in River Bend, 6 to 8 feet in Trent Woods, 6 to 10 feet in New Bern, and 6 to 7 feet in Fairfield Harbor. NWS storm survey confirms a EF 1 tornado occurred near the Cherry Branch Ferry on 9/13 at 1853 EST. Maximum winds were estimated at 105 mph.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 4 to 8 over the county with a storm total of 6.95 in Belhaven. The heaviest totals fell across the extreme southern part of the county. Heavy rainfall across the county initially lead to flash flooding, especially across the southern part of the county. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 39 mph at New River Air Station at 725 LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages. Significant storm surge flooding occurred along the Pamlico River in Washington and Pungo River in Belhaven. Preliminary storm surge values (above ground level) of 4 to 5 feet were found in Washington Park and 5 to 6 feet in Belhaven.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 10 to 15 over the county with a storm total of 14.34 in Arapahoe. Extremely heavy rainfall across the county initially led to flash flooding. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast with tropical storm force gusts across the county. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages. Significant storm surge flooding occurred along the western shores of the Pamlico Sound. Preliminary storm surge values (above ground level) of 2 to 3 feet were found in Oriental. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 1 tornado occurred near Lowland on 9/13 at 1025 EST. Maximum winds were estimated at 90 mph.

A first ever, county wide mandatory evacuation was issued prior to Florence. Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 20 to 25 over the county with a storm total of 19.42 in Trenton. Extremely heavy rainfall across the county initially lead to flash flooding with numerous roads that were impassable. Flash flooding across the county quickly filled the Trent River, leading to historic flooding along it’s banks in the town of Trenton and Pollocksville. Rapid river rises necessitated numerous water rescues for residents of homes across the county and even reached the second floor or roofs of several buildings. The river in Trenton crested at a record of 29.28 feet during the evening of the 17th, which exceeded the old record of 28.42 feet set after Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The Trent River at Pollocksville reached a record crest of 20.48 feet exceeding the old record of 16.29 feet set after Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast with tropical storm force gusts across the county. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 1 tornado 2 miles northeast of Stella in Carteret County and White Oak township in southern Jones county. Maximum estimated winds were around 100 mph. NWS storm survey confirmed a EF 0 tornado occurred near Pleasant Hill on 9/14 at 2044 EST. Maximum estimated winds were between 75 and 80 mph.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the morning of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 11 to 20 over the county with a storm total of 18.92 in Kinston. Extremely heavy rainfall across the county initially lead to flash flooding with numerous roads that were impassable. The Neuse River at Kinston crested at 25.78 feet on the 21st, ranking third highest all time behind hurricanes Matthew and Floyd. US 70 was closed in Kinston for several days as flood waters inundated numerous homes and businesses on the south side of Kinston. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 46 mph in Kinston at 1205 AM LST on September 14th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 15th. Rainfall was generally 3 to 5 over the county with a storm total of 4.36 at Swan Quarter. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 46 mph in Hyde County Airport at 505 PM LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees and power outages.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 15th. Rainfall was generally 1 to 2 over most of the county but 5 to 6 fell over the southern part of Hatteras Island (southern Outer Banks, Dare). Frisco had a storm total of 6.26 . Heavy rainfall across the southern part of the county led to flash flooding with some roads impassable. Gusty east winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 79 mph at Frisco Woods at 445 PM LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees with and power outages.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 15th. Rainfall was generally 3 to 4 over most of the county with a storm total of 4.26 in Gum Neck. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 62 mph at Alligator River Bridge at 515 PM LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees with and power outages.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 16th. Rainfall was generally 10 to 13 over most of the county with a storm total of 12.50 in Snow Hill. Due to the heavy rainfall Contentnea Creek had a preliminary 6th highest crest 18.98 feet. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast with a peak wind gust of 39 mph west of Snow Hill at 1159 PM LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees with and power outages.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 15th. Rainfall was generally 5 to 8 over most of the county with a storm total of 7.53 in Williamston. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast with a peak wind gust of 39 mph west of Snow Hill at 1159 PM LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees with and power outages.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 15th. Rainfall was generally 5 to 7 over most of the county with a storm total of 6.67 in Plymouth. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast with a peak wind gust of 55 mph 2 miles northeast of Skinnersville on the banks of the Albemarle Sound at 1904 PM LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees with and power outages.

Widespread rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 15th. Rainfall was generally 1 to 2 over most of the county. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 62 mph at Alligator River Bridge at 515 PM LST on September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees with and power outages.

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of September 13th through the evening of September 15th. Rainfall was generally 5 to 10 over the county. Heavy rainfall across the county led to flash flooding with some roads impassable due to a combination of heavy rain and storm surge. Gusty northeast winds developed ahead of Florence as the storm approached the coast, with a peak wind gust of 83 mph at a mesonet station on Ocracoke Island on the evening of September 13th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to some downed trees and power outages.

NWS storm survey team confirmed the tornado occurred near Swan Quarter. The damage path started near Farrow Rd, and consisted of a large softwood that was snapped. More softwoods were snapped along with some hardwoods being uprooted along Oyster Creek St. A large waterspout was reported off the ferry terminal at Swan Quarter by the ferrymaster. The end of the pathw was an end over the western part of the Pamlico Sound based on the eyewitness account. Due to less than 10 trees being snapped and only a few hardwoods uprooted, maximum estimated winds were at the lower end of the scale or around 90 mph. The time was based on radar data.

A tornado touched down near Lowland. The damage path started toward the north end of Fulford Point Road and consisted of numerous softwood trees snapped, some hardwoods that were uprooted and a utility pole that was destroyed. The path continued to the intersection of Lowland Road and Fulford Point Road where numerous trees were blow downs and softwood trees were snapped. The damage path may have continued farther to the southwest but was not accessible to us. With less than 10 softwoods snapped in any given area the maximum winds were kept on the lower end of the scale or around 90 MPH. The time was based on radar data.

Portions of NC 12 through Hatteras Village experienced water levels unsafe for travel due to a combination of heavy rain and over wash.

Heavy rain band moved across Carteret, while 3 to 6 inches of rain as already fallen. Areas that flooded was Morehead City and Beaufort based on radar estimates and FLASH.

A tornado touched down during the early evening near Havelock. A large swath of snapped pine trees were found in the Cherry Branch neighborhood. The damage was most extensive from near the dead end of Seattle Slew Drive southwest toward the intersection of Route 306 and Pine Cliff Road. Over 100 pine trees were snapped in this general area, with a few pine and hardwood trees uprooted near both ends of the damage path. Maximum estimated winds were 105 mph. The time was based on radar.

Otway FD is beginning to flood with about 2 inches of water in the bay. All 911 responses have been stopped for the safety of the crews and patients. Multiple reports of flooding across the county.

Streets are flooded due to heavy rain bands crossing the area; storm surge enhanced the situation.

NC 12 on Ocracoke Island is closed from Pony Pen north to Ferry dock due to high water.

A 77 year old male was killed by tree trauma while checking on his dogs at night. He was checking on his dogs, slipped and fell, causing him to die.

A 68 year old man was electrocuted while plugging in his generator.

Multiple roads across the Newport area closed due to high water.

Beaufort county secondary PSAP being evacuated due to flooding. Washington residents under evacuation from Pamlico River to 8th Street.

Flash flooding led to the closure of roads near ECU campus at 823 LST on the 14th. Numerous reports of heavy flooding in the southern part of Greene County with most roads inaccessible by 2017 LST on the 14th.

Called Jones/Lenoir 911 center and they reported numerous roads impassable across both counties.

A tornado touched down near Davis in association with hurricane Florence. The damage path started on Open Grounds Farms where significant damage was found to a farm outbuilding and numerous large silos. The farm outbuilding was totally destroyed and debris was thrown toward the left or southwest of the storm motion. Near this location 4 large silos were pushed inward on the side from the wind, with a 5th silo completely destroyed and moved off its foundation. It was here that maximum winds were estimated at between 100 and 110 mph or a high end EF1 tornado. The wind was likely enhanced due to the expansive openness of the farm itself. The path length was likely sporadic but confirmation will not be possible given the location over an inaccessible area. The time was estimated based on radar data.

A tornado touched down near Davis and North River. The damage path started on the south side of Davis along State Route 1363. Damage here consisted of snapped trees along with some uproots, of both softwood and hardwood. The pattern of the damage showed uprooted trees in multiple directions, some of which were convergent and different than the storm motion. Some minor damage to roofs such as shingle loss was also present. The path continued to the northwest over a largely unpopulated or inaccessible area. We were able to find an approximate end to the tornado path thanks to the folks at Open Grounds Farms where significant damage was found to a farm outbuilding and numerous large silos. The farm outbuilding was totally destroyed and debris was thrown toward the left or southwest of the storm motion. Near this location 4 large silos were pushed inward on the side from the wind, with a 5th silo completely destroyed and moved off its foundation. It was here that maximum winds were estimated at between 100 and 110 mph or a high end EF1 tornado. The wind was likely enhanced due to the expansive openness of the farm itself. The path length was likely sporadic but confirmation will not be possible given the location over an inaccessible area. The time was based on radar data.

A tornado touched down near Otway and North River. The damage path started in Otway near Highway 70 and consisted of a few uprooted or snapped trees along with minor shingle damage to nearby houses. The path continued northwest with a few more snapped trees along Firetower Road before the track went over a largely unpopulated or inaccessible area. More damage was again found along the same track as it crossed Merrimon Road where two separate locations had a concentration of snapped and uprooted trees, mainly of the softwood variety. At the entrance to Open Grounds Farms, more than 30 trees were snapped or uprooted in a convergent pattern. Minor shingle damage also occurred to the owners house. Maximum wind speeds were estimated here to be between 95 and 105 mph due to the amount of trees snapped along with the damage to the well built home. The path length was likely sporadic but confirmation will not be possible given the location over an inaccessible area. Note that although close to the tornado that traveled from Davis to Open Grounds Farm, this tornado was a separate tornado confirmed by looking back at the radar achieves and comparing this to plotted damage found on the storm survey. The time was based on radar data.

Duplin County EMA reported numerous road closures throughout the county at 1353 LST on the 14th. The town of Kenansville worked an overflow and failure at their wastewater treatment plant at 0353 LST on the 15th. The city of Kinston was being turned into an island at 19:08 LST on the 14th. Lenoir county performed multiple water rescues throughout the county.

Widespread flash flooding is ongoing in both Jones and Onslow counties. Multiple roads are impassable due to the flooding.

Beaman road is flooded and impassable near NC-55.

A tornado touched down near Deep Run in association with hurricane Florence. The |damage path started along Big Oak Road where up to 5 homes sustained |roof damage. Most of this damage occurred in the direction of the storm |motion but some shingle loss was in the opposite direction. Minor tree |damage was also observed. The damage path continued northwest to Deep |Run where minor damage was found near highway 11 and along Old North |Carolina 11. This included minor shingle damage, some uprooted or |snapped trees. The damage path ended along highway 903 near but mainly |north of Liddell Road where more trees were snapped along with minor |shingle loss to some homes. The damage was sporadic and consistent with |winds in the 75 to 85 mph range due to the loss of shingles and some |uprooted trees. The time was estimated based on radar data.

A tornado touched down near Pleasant Hill in association with hurricane |Florence. The damage path started along Vine Swamps Road over the |extreme western part of Jones County. The beginning time and location |was adjusted based on radar due to the inability to access areas east of |here. Damage consisted of softwood trees uprooted in the opposite |direction of storm motion along with some minor shingle damage. More |damage was found just west of highway 258 near Zack Howard Road where a |large tree was uprooted and again in the opposite direction of the storm|motion. Most of the damage was quite sporadic on the path and was not |as concentrated as other storms surveyed thus far. Therefore the wind |speed was estimated to be between 75 and 85 mph, mainly due to the |uprooted softwood trees and minor shingle loss. The time was estimated based on radar data.

The city of Washington remained under a curfew due to numerous streets that were flooded.

Roberts road closed due to flooding from the Newport River. Numerous houses and businesses near the Newport River, through the city of Newport, flooded.

A tornado touched down 2 miles northeast of Stella in Carteret County and White Oak township in southern Jones county. A concentrated area of snapped pine trees could be found along Highway 58 north of the Coldwater Creek neighborhood and north of Hadnot Creek. More than 25 pine trees were snapped in this area and are consistent with estimated wind speeds of around 100 mph. Along the same general path, another more concentrated area of damage was found near St. James AME Zion Church along highway 58. Here, mostly east of the highway, over 50 pine trees were snapped, and winds were estimated around 105 mph in this location. A few hardwood trees were uprooted near the end of the damage path, just over a mile farther down highway 58 north near the entrance to the Croatan National Forest. The time was estimated based on radar data.

A 65 year old male drowned in a motor vehicle on NC-111 in Goshen Swamp. The local fire department was performing active water rescues, 2 were saved and 1 resulted in fatality.

County emergency services reported numerous requests for persons requesting water rescues.

A tornado touched down in Camp Lejeune. Maximum winds were estimated at around 90 mph. The damage path started along Highway 172, south of Lyman Road. Most of the damage was confined to about 10 to 15 snapped pine trees with a few uprooted pine trees. Most of this damage was oriented toward the southwest or west. However, a small building that was open toward the west, had damage inside the building pointed toward the southeast or in the opposite direction of the storm motion. We were not able to examine the total path, but more damage was found to the northwest of the initial point crossing Lyman Road. The time was based on radar data.

Lenoir county and the City of Kinston performed water rescues throughout the night.

The Warsaw FD reported 20 inches of rainfall at 0500 LST on the 15th. Duplin county experienced catastrophic flash flooding with numerous rescues being performed with emergency evacuations in place as of 0651 LST. Flash flooding has combined with river flooding and land locked all fire departments and rescue teams, with multiple water rescues still being reported as of 0815 LST. At 1136 LST around 110 roads were washed out by flash flooding with inland river flooding not allowing for evacuation travel.

US 70 is flooded near Nine Foot Road with both directions impassable due to flooding from the Newport River and heavy rainfall.

A 79 year old female drowned in a motor vehicle on North Williams Road. The vehicle was occupied by a single person.

An 81 year old male drowned in a motor vehicle on Bowden Road right along the Duplin/Sampson County line. The vehicle was occupied by a single person.

Three military vehicles swept off roadway into fast moving water along Highway 24 near Dobson Chapel Road in Kenansville. Tulls Mill road also closed due to a road washout.

State Route 1226 (New Liberty Road) closed near Clarks Road due to flooding.

Pierson Point Road west of Oriental closed due to flooding.

A 74 year old male died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from generator use while inside home.

A 22 year old female died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from generator use while inside the home.

Partial lane washout between US117 and State Route 1332 in Faison.

A 67 year old male fell and fractured his neck while cleaning storm debris.