As Ophelia "eyes" the southeastern United States coastline, present forecasts point to Wilmington, North Carolina as a possible "ground zero." National Hurricane Center / Tropical Prediction Center
" [North Carolina] Gov. Mike Easley declared a state of emergency Saturday evening, activating the state's emergency response center in Raleigh and authorizing the use as needed of the National Guard and all state agencies. * * * The storm wasn't close enough to North Carolina that a decision had to be made on whether to order evacuations, King said. He and other emergency management officials in the region said they were keeping resources at home instead of sending them to the Gulf Coast." StarNewsOnline.com: The Voice of Southeastern North Carolina
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From the Hurricane Guide at the StarNewsOnline.com ("The Voice of Southeastern North Carolina"): "Hazel. 1954. $136 million in lost property, with 15,000 structures destroyed. 19 people dead. Diana. 1984. $30 million in damages in New Hanover County, $20 million in Brunswick County. 3 people dead. Hugo. 1989. $70 million in damages. More than 120 homes destroyed on Brunswick beaches. 7 dead. Fran. 1996. $2 billion in damages. 21 dead. Floyd. 1999. $4.5 billion in damages. 52 people dead. What does Mother Nature have in store for us this year?" StarNewsOnline.com: The Voice of Southeastern North Carolina
"In this century, Category IV and V storms caused over 80% of all economic damage and deaths from hurricanes even though they comprised less than 10% of all hurricanes. These major storms cause extensive damage to the infrastructure of the impacted area. The damage from 130 mph sustained and turbulent winds can extend inland far past the area of coastal flooding. Community utility systems, schools, civil law enforcement capability, medical facilities, and the economy in general could be seriously affected or incapacitated. The impact on all people can be devastating and could require major disaster relief." "Since the 1996 hurricane season, Wilmington has been battered by nine hurricanes - Bertha and Fran in 1996, Bonnie in 1998, and Dennis, Floyd and Irene in 1999, Florence in 2000, Gustov and Kylie in 2002."US Coast Guard Commander of the Port of Wilmington Hurricane Port Preparedness & Response Plan (PDF)
University of North Carolina at Wilmington is the only public teaching and research institution located in southeastern North Carolina. Its coastal location enables it to perform as a "global contributor in coastal research. However, its location also places over $15 million in research and the services to nearly 12,000 students at risk to the natural hazards of hurricanes and other coastal storms.* * * UNCW is anxious to share its experiences and techniques in hurricane response with other colleges and universities." University of North Carolina - Hurricane Preparedness (application/pdf Object)
"Storm surge could spell doom for Carolinas' coast" * * *
...In 1999, Hurricane Floyd threatened lives, businesses and homes with massive flooding that caused millions of dollars in damage to the Carolinas. Much of that flooding was exacerbated by rapid growth that created expansive flood zones.
...Since then, growth in the Carolinas has shown no signs of slowing down, especially along the coast. * * *
* * * That means more homes, shopping centers and roads. It means more people living in low-lying areas that could be in the direct line of a storm surge or in an inland area prone to flooding from excessive rain.
...Ultimately, it means more risk because as growth changes the terrain, it also changes the flood plains. Pavement and buildings keep the water, whether from rainfall or storm surge, from draining into the ground.
...Sometimes residents do not realize their homes are in a flood zone. That is in part because growth is outpacing the speed at which states can create new flood maps, which determine flood-insurance rates and tell builders how high off the ground a house must be built. * * *
...The coastal regions of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties are just as vulnerable to damage from storm surges - waves pushed to shore by a hurricane's winds - as Biloxi, Miss., which is 22 feet above sea level. Most of the area's residents live 20 to 30 feet above sea level.
The Sun News | 09/04/2005 | Storm surge could spell doom for Carolinas' coast