Remembering Hurricane Irene four years later
On the evening of Aug. 26, 2011, Hurricane Irene made landfall near Cape Lookout N.C., and continued to batter the North Carolina coast into the morning hours of Aug. 27.
At the time, the storm was known as the costliest Category One hurricane on record, contributing to more than $15 billion of damage nationwide, $53 million of that in North Carolina.
Flooding and wind damage were by far the worst aspects of the storm. Some coastal towns received more than 32 inches of rain. At least 10,000 people were forced to stay in shelters, and seven people died.
Perhaps one of the most memorable catastrophes of the storm was the flooding of Highway 12. The road was completely washed out, halting travel.
More than 600,000 people were left in the dark. Many power outages by downed trees around the coast.
Four years later, those living in North Carolina would say they will never forget that disastrous storm.
