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Hurricanes and Alamance County
Alamance County is no stranger to hurricanes and the damage they can cause. While we may not receive the wind or surge damage that our coastal neighbors receive, hurricanes still have affected Alamance County many times throughout the years. Alamance County is vulnerable to tropical weather, and residents should be aware and take precautions when tropical weather threatens.
Here's a list of just a few of the more impressive storms that have made their effects felt in Alamance County:
Labor Day Hurricane, 1935: The Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane mainly affected Florida with its high winds. This storm - the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic on record - hit Florida as a Class 5 Hurricane with winds estimated at 190 MPH. It then traveled up the Atlantic Coast, bringing wind and rain to Alamance County
Hurricane Hazel, 1954: Many people still remember Hazel as one of the worst Hurricanes to ever hit Alamance County. Its stay in North Carolina was brief, but it brought Category 4 winds and heavy rain to the state. In fact, winds were still at hurricane strength when the storm moved north over Washington, DC.
Hurricane Diane, 1955: Hurricane Diane wasn't a very strong hurricane, but she still brought tropical storm force winds and between 4 and 8 inches of rain to Alamance County.
Hurricane Donna, 1960: Donna brought Category 3 winds to North Carolina, and is the only hurricane on record to bring hurricane force winds to Florida, the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic, and New England.
Hurricane Hugo, 1989: Hugo hit the South Carolina Coast as a Category 4 hurricane, and brought hurricane force winds as far north as Hickory, NC. Alamance County received rain and tropical-storm force winds from Hugo.
Hurricane Fran, 1996: Hurricane Fran is remembered as one of the strongest storms to ever effect Alamance County. It brought widespread wind and flooding damage to our area. At the time of its crossing over Alamance County, Fran's winds were near hurricane strength.
Hurricane Floyd, 1999: Floyd is best remembered for its startling flooding in Eastern North Carolina. While Alamance County did not see massive flooding on the same scale, Floyd brought heavy rains and wind to our Area.
Tropical Storm Allison, 2001: Allison is proof that a storm doesn't need to be a hurricane to have massive destructive power. Allison flooded much of the Southeast, and while it has "Tropical Storm" in its name, the vast majority of the flooding occurred when Allison was a much weaker Tropical Depression. Parts of North Carolina got over 8" of rain, while parts of Texas and Louisiana got over 20" and 30" of rain.
Hurricane Isabel, 2003: Isabel brought rain and winds (including gusts to 55-60 mph) to Alamance County.
2004: 2004 was a major year for tropical weather in Alamance County. A total of 7 storms had a direct impact on our county through winds and heavy rain. Tropical Storms Bonnie and Gaston, Hurricane Jeanne, and Major Hurricanes Alex, Charley, Frances, and Ivan all brought tropical weather to Alamance County.
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