Strong Wind in Sampson, North Carolina

Numerous trees and power-lines were blown down throughout the county. However there was only minor structural damage with one mobile home destroyed and a gas station awning ripped off. A fatality also occurred when a tree fell onto a roof of the van and killed one occupant as they were traveling south on Reedsford Road. The strong winds also heavily damaged the tobacco crop.

Hurricane Irene made landfall over the the Outer Banks on the morning of August 27 as a Category 1 hurricane. The expansive wind field associated with Irene produced strong wind gusts of 40 to 65 mph over the Central Piedmont and Coastal counties of North Carolina beginning in the early morning hours and persisting until late in the afternoon and early evening. Widespread wind damage from fallen trees and power-lines was felt

from the Triangle eastward, with coastal counties having sustained the most extensive damage, including 3 related fatalities.