Ash Wednesday Storm

Severe storms can strike the Outer Banks any time of the year. Fifty-five years ago on March 6-8 the eastern seaboard was pummeled with one of the worst storms in the United States in the 20th century. For three days, including March 7, which was Ash Wednesday of 1962, winds of 70 mph brought 30 foot waves on shore from the Outer Banks to Cape Cod.

Damage in Va. Beach, US Army Corps of Engineers Photo

When the storm was over 40 people were dead and the estimated damage to property (in current dollars) was $500 million.

Hatteras Island and the Nags Head Peninsula suffered severe damage and life threatening conditions (although there were no fatalities in North Carolina). The southern portion of the Outer Banks, including Ocracoke, was largely spared.

You can read more about the Ash Wednesday Storm's impact on the Outer Banks here: https://outerbanksvoice.com/2012/03/09/remembering-the-historic-ash-wednesday-storm/.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the Electrification of Ocracoke Island. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news022117.htm.