Disaster funds approved for NC coastal storm that caused historic flooding, destroying 100+ homes
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Just 11 days before Tropical Storm Helene hit the North Carolina mountains with widespread flooding, destruction and killing at least 95 people, a major storm referred to as Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 hit the North Carolina coast .
The no-named storm caused massive, historic flooding along the coast in Brunswick, New Hanover, Carteret and Onslow counties. Fifty roads were ripped apart, more than 100 homes destroyed, at least 120 people were rescued in just hours and one person died when historic rainfall — nearly 21 inches at Carolina Beach — drenched the entire southeast North Carolina coast.
The Brunswick Nuclear Plant issued an Unusual Event alert because of the flooding surrounding the plant caused by the Sept. 16 storm.
RELATED: NC coast rainfall totals top 20 inches in 1,000-year event
Slideshow of North Carolina coast storm flooding and damage
Southern areas of Brunswick County were unreachable from Wilmington because of destroyed roads, including U.S. 17, which did not fully reopen until four days before Helene hit…