While past the peak of hurricane season, these October storms left their mark on Wilmington
According to the National Hurricane Center, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is Sept. 10.
And while hurricane season goes from June 1-Nov. 30, the season's last two months typically don't bring much activity to the Wilmington area. However, a few October storms have made an impact.
According to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, at least 13 storms in October have created tropical storm force (39 mph) or stronger wind gusts at its official weather station in Wilmington since 1871.
There are also some storms that didn't produce much wind upon arrival but brought plenty of rain.
Here's a look back at five of those storms.
Hurricane Hazel - 1954
While it didn't arrive in Wilmington until mid-October, this Category 4 storm remains the deadliest and costliest hurricane no matter the month.
The area around Calabash, where Hazel made landfall, was battered by winds of more than 140 mph and brought an 18-foot storm surge. Winds of 98 mph were measured in Wilmington on Oct. 15, 1954, and winds were estimated at 125 mph at Wrightsville Beach.
In North Carolina, 19 people were killed. Damages amounted to $163 million in North and South Carolina. More than 50,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
More: As storms brew in the tropics, Wrightsville Beach nervously waits for its beach nourishment
Hurricane Hilda - 1964
A headline in the Wilmington Morning Star's Oct. 6, 1964 headline read "Hilda wheezes past Wilmington." The storm, which first brought death and destruction to Louisiana, blew through Wilmington with three tornadoes bringing some damage.
The Weather Bureau at the New Hanover Airport advised that rapid rain over the next two days might set a new record for the month of October, which is normally a dry month. While it brought significant rainfall, Hilda didn't have much wind by the time it got to the area.
Hurricane Irene - 1999
A month after Hurricane Floyd flooded nearly all of eastern North Carolina and displaced hundreds, Hurricane Irene added at least 4-5 inches of rain. That was enough to hamper cleanup and recovery efforts after the wettest September ever recorded.
Irene could've been worse for wind. Instead, the edge of the storm's eye skirted Frying Pan Shoals, just east of Bald Head Island.
Tropical Storm Tammy - 2005
Tropical Storm Tammy made landfall in Florida, then traveled north through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and into New England. Over five days, the remains of Tammy dumped 13.8 inches of rain on Wilmington, resulting in areas such as the banks of Burnt Mill Creek to overflow.
Hurricane Matthew - 2016
According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Matthew was the most powerful storm of the 2016 season and was responsible for 25 deaths in North Carolina.
The eye of Matthew passed through Wilmington, saturating the ground with roughly 15 inches of rainfall.
Rivers and creeks in the state quickly flooded, leaving several eastern North Carolina cities under water. Hurricane Matthew damaged the Southport City Dock while flood waters crested along N.C. 53 in Burgaw. In Currie, residents along the Black River Basin had to be evacuated from their homes.
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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hurricanes in Wilmington NC in October
