Resiliency in the Face of Natural Disasters: North Carolina Hurricanes

North Carolina is no stranger to hurricanes. According to the National Hurricane Center, North Carolina is number 4 on the list of states most affected by hurricanes and throughout the state’s recorded history, hurricanes have been responsible for nearly 1,000 total fatalities and over $15 billion in damages. Yet time and time again, the citizens of North Carolina have shown their resilient nature in the face of these storms. This episode showcases four stories of resiliency brought on by four of the strongest hurricanes in our state’s history. Join us as we discuss Jesse Stevens Taylor’s dedication to her storm warning post during Hurricane Hazel, Rasmus Midgett’s heroic one-man rescue after the San Ciriaco Hurricane, New Bern’s preparation for the Revolutionary War amid the Independence Hurricane, and the town of Princeville’s persevering spirit after Hurricane Floyd. Whether it’s individuals risking their lives for others, agencies funneling resources into rescue operations or communities coming together to rebuild, North Carolinians are absolutely resilient!  

 

Hurricane Path Maps:

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Sources: 

 

“Weather Watcher,” Our State Magazine, May 2006, Vol. 73, no. 12, State Library, https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/our-state/1100309 

 

Governor Luther Hodges Papers, General Correspondence (Civil Defense subject file) Box 260.  SR.367.1 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:738923 

 

Carolina Power and Light Photograph Collection, Hurricane Hazel ID: PhC.68.1.471.1-4 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:70597 

 

“North Carolina’s Hurricane History: Fourth Edition, Updated with a Decade of New Storms from Isabel to Sandy,” Jay Barnes, UNC Press Books, 2013 

 

Herbert Hutchinson Brimley Photograph Collection, 1880-1977 - Wreck of the Priscilla, Hatteras, NC, 1899. ID: PhC.42.Bx6.Boats.F19 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:912431  

 

The Story of Rasmus Midgett: Lifesaver, 1900-1999, ID: VT.119 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:866110    

 

“Hurricane of Independence: The Untold Story of the Deadly Storm at the Deciding Moment of the American Revolution,” Tony Williams, Sourcebooks, Inc., 2009 

 

British Records, Royal Observatory, Charles Town, [South Carolina]. William De Brahm [surveyor general, southern department] to the Earl of Dartmouth [William Legge, secretary of state]. 8 Dec., 1775 ID: 21.20.64.1 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:629462    

 

North Carolina Newspaper Collection, Virginia Gazette or Norfolk Intelligencer, “Extract of a Letter from Newbern, in North Carolina, dated September 9, 1775,” 21 Oct 1775, page 2, NSP.5 https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/DigitalLibrary/va-gazettes/VGSinglePage.cfm?issueIDNo=75.DH.49&page=2&res=LO   

 

Temporary Housing Section, Information Management Unit: Photograph File, 1999-2002 ID:  SR.56.7 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:659101    

 

Governor James Hunt, Emergency Management File, 1999-2001. SR.374.32 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:748121    

 

Water damage in Princeville, North Carolina, Hurricane Floyd, October 13, 1999, 1999 ID: N.2000.2.49 https://axaem.archives.ncdcr.gov//solrDetailPages/series/NCA/Series_detail.html?fq=seriesRid:254662