The 25th anniversary of Hurricane Floyd’s landfall in Eastern Carolina brings to light the lasting devastation caused by one of the most catastrophic storms in the region’s history. Making landfall on September 16, 1999, near Cape Fear, Floyd unleashed sustained winds of 110 mph and a storm surge of 10 feet, causing immense destruction, particularly in coastal communities like Oak Island and Topsail Island.
Floodwaters from Floyd ravaged the region, with Pitt County alone suffering $346 million in damages. In Kinston and Lenoir County, around 800 properties were bought out due to the destruction caused by both Hurricanes Fran and Floyd. In total, the storm claimed 52 lives in North Carolina, many victims drowning while trying to escape in their vehicles.
The storm’s impact was compounded by the remnants of Hurricane Dennis, which had hit the area just weeks prior, saturating the soil and leading to unprecedented flooding. Torrential rainfall from Floyd brought totals as high as 15 to 20 inches in parts of Eastern North Carolina and Virginia. In addition, Floyd’s aftermath included widespread tornadoes, with North Carolina issuing 20 tornado warnings within 10 hours.
Today, reminders of Floyd’s devastation linger in the form of photos and videos showing flooded communities, waterlogged homes, and communities forever altered. In 2021, a documentary titled Flood of the Century captured these haunting memories and the storm’s enduring legacy.
As the anniversary approaches, meteorologists are now monitoring a developing low-pressure system off the Southeast coast, which could bring additional heavy rainfall, strong winds, and severe weather to the region early this week. The threat of coastal flooding and erosion remains high, especially in low-lying areas along the Crystal Coast.