Emerald Isle, NC and Hurricanes.

Much like the whole of Bogue Banks, Emerald Isle has three distinct parts, geologically. The eastern third of Emerald Isle has low elevation and is fairly narrow. Here, the island is only three lots wide and the middle row homeowners often can see both the ocean and the sound. This area, where numbered streets are now located also is the site of historic and acute inlet development. When Hurricane Hazel hit the coast in October of 1954, it sliced through Emerald Isle at two different locations. One was located roughly between what is now 23rd and 24th Streets and the other was between the future 2nd and 5th Streets. Sand to sew the Town back together was dredged from the Sound at about where 20th Street is now situated which explains why a few Sound front homeowners enjoy 10 feet of deep water at low tide and everyone else makes do with only about a foot.

Moving westward, the middle third of Emerald Isle widens considerably and elevates significantly higher than the eastern third. The western third is wider and higher still, roughly three quarters of a mile, and 30 feet above sea level.

Following Hurricane Hazel which visited Emerald Isle before the town was even mapped out, the region was visited by three hurricanes, Connie, Diane and Ione, in quick succession. Bogue Banks was undamaged but all three named storms caused record flooding on the mainland. Maysville, about 15 miles inland from Bogue Banks reported 50 inches of rain from these three storms. In 1960, Hurricane Donna brought hurricane force winds and rain to the area. Again, Bogue Banks was undamaged.

Then, after over 30 years of relative quiet, two strong storms would strike Emerald Isle in 1996, Bertha in July and Fran in September. It was the first time since the mid 50s that North Carolina had experienced two hurricane landfalls in one hurricane season. There wasn’t much time to recover from the first hurricane before the second hit. Hurricane Fran caused major flooding over much of North Carolina, Maryland and West Virginia. Once, again, damage was relatively minor here in Emerald Isle.

Three years later Hurricane Dennis reached Bogue Banks and Emerald Isle in late August, followed by Hurricane Floyd in the middle of September, followed by Irene four weeks later. The most significant storm was Floyd a strong Category 4 hurricane that caused devastating flooding primarily on the mainland of North Carolina east of Interstate 95 and all along the East Coast of the United States. Here, in Emerald Isle, we experienced rain and high winds but relatively minor structural damage, again.

What did take a hit after five named hurricanes in three years were the beaches of Emerald Isle. And, this prompted the Towns of Bogue Banks to begin a renourishment program. More on that in later blogs. To learn more about life in Emerald Isle, NC, my town of residence, go to my website, www.EIHomesforSale.com and request my free Guide to Living Were You Vacation or text your email address to: 919-308-2292. Stay well and stay safe.