Tropical Storm in Coastal Pender, North Carolina

Even though the center of Hurricane Irene passed over 100 miles east of the coast of southeastern North Carolina, its large windfield produced tropical storm force winds for nearly 24 hours as it made its landfall near Cape Lookout. The highest recorded wind gust at the Back Island Raws station was 61 kts on the backside of the storm the morning of the August 27th. Rainfall amounts across the county ranged from seven to over eight inches, with moderate street flooding reported. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down, leading to around 10,000 homes without power. Storm surge ranged from three to four feet above normal, with moderate beach erosion. Flooding was reported on First, Third, and Canal Streets in Surf City due to the storm surge. The lowest pressure recorded at the Back Island Raws was 985.1 millibars, about 29.10 inches.

Hurricane Irene tracked across the Bahamas and up the eastern seaboard, staying offshore until it made landfall at Cape Lookout the morning of August 27th as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 85 mph. Because the center remained offshore, only tropical storm force winds were experienced along the coastal counties of southeast North Carolina.