Dare estimates $1.6 million in damage on Hatteras

July 7, 2014 | Local News | By: Irene Nolan

A preliminary report from Dare County estimates the total damage from Hurricane Arthur at $1.9 million — with $1.6 of that on Hatteras Island.

The hurricane passed very close to and then over the Outer Banks in the early morning hours of Friday, July 4.

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Arthur is the earliest hurricane to hit North Carolina in a season since records began in 1851. The previous record was July 11, 1901. It is also the first hurricane to make landfall on the U.S. mainland since Isaac on Aug. 28-29, 2012 and the first Category 2 hurricane in the US since Ike in 2008.

“The preliminary estimates of Dare County’s property damage from Hurricane Arthur are
not as significant as feared, based on the storm’s wind speed and track,” Greta Skeen, the county’s damage assessment officer, wrote in a report. “Most damage reported was due to soundside flooding, winds causing shingle, siding and roof damage, and downed trees.”

A total of 145 structures in the county sustained minor damage. Sixteen had major
damage, and none was destroyed.

The towns of Duck, Southern Shores, and Kill Devil Hills reported minimal damage with no dollar estimates needed. The towns of Kitty Hawk and Nags Head reported very minor damage. The town of Manteo had some of the more significant damage, mainly from soundside flooding to businesses in the downtown area and wind damage to some structures. There was mostly minor wind or soundside flooding or tree damage in the areas of Colington, Manns Harbor, Manteo outside of downtown, and Wanchese.

Hatteras Island sustained more damage than the areas north of Oregon Inlet.

Rodanthe had the most damage of any area, with water and wind damage to several campgrounds and other businesses and numerous residences with water in structures and wind damage. The total is $1.3 million.

Waves and Salvo also reported damage – the majority from water in structures, and wind damage to shingles and siding. Total for Waves is $22,000 and for Salvo is 122,000.

With the exception of the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative in Buxton, damage in the villages south of Salvo was minimal. Damage in Buxton is reported at $100,000 and Frisco and Hatteras reported no damage.

Skeen’s report does not include estimates for debris removal, which will be primarily tree debris in many areas north of Oregon Inlet and structural and tree debris on Hatteras Island.

Click here to see a breakdown of the damage by town or village, including minor and major damage and totals.