Hurricane Irene
August 2011

QUICK FACTS

Storm Type | Cat. 1 Hurricane
NC Landfall | Cape Lookout
NC Wind Speed | 95 mph

Total Deaths | 49
NC Deaths | 5
Total Cost Then | $14,200,000,000

about this storm

Hurricane Irene was a large and powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Canada. Irene made landfall near Cape Lookout, North Carolina at around 7:30 AM EDT on August 27, 2011 as a strong category 1 storm. Irene caused 5 deaths in North Carolina. On the evening of August 26, well ahead of landfall, Hurricane Irene also spawned several tornadoes. One EF-2 tornado near Columbia in Tyrrell County demolished at least 4 homes and overturned cars.

Precipitation totals associated with Irene were particularly high with totals ranging from around 5 inches over the Northern Outer Banks, to around 15 inches in Beaufort County. Bunyan in Beaufort County reported 15.66 inches. Doppler Radar estimated totals of over 17 inches in portions of Beaufort, Craven and Pamlico Counties. Extensive storm surge and wind damage also occurred with Irene. The peak wind gust recorded was 115 mph at the Cedar Island Ferry Terminal in Carteret County as the eye was moving ashore. Trees were down throughout eastern North Carolina and thousands were left without electricity. Ocean and Sound overwash created numerous breaches of Highway 12 along the Outer Banks.