Hurricane Strikes Carolina Coast

Press, Volume C, Issue 29624, 21 September 1961, Page 15

Hurricane Strikes Carolina Coast

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright; NEW YORK, September 20. New York City and the surrounding densely-populated area braced themselves today as hurricane “Esther” moved up the Atlantic coast. The hurricane, with winds of 130 miles an hour at the centre, already was battering the coast of North Carolina. More than 5000 people had left their homes for Red Gross shelters in the Carolina coastal area. Waves 30 feet high were reported off shore.

The storm was reported al 6 a.m. G.M.T. to be 125 miles south-east of Cape Hatteras and moving north-north-west at 16 miles an hour. New York was put on an emergency alert as the course of the huge storm seemed likely to bring it over the north-eastern United States late today or early tomorrow. The Weather Bureau put the entire area, with a population of several million, on hurricane watch, and preparations were ordered for rescue operations if necessary. Ships in the harbour and sailing towards it altered their schedules to avoid the

hurricane, and some Air Force planes were moved inland from bases near the coast.

Civil defence units issued stand-by orders to their members and the Mayor (Mr Robert Wagner) planned an emergency meeting with heads of the city police, Are. hospital and sanitation departments early today to make special plans for the hurricane’s arrival. Late last night "Esther" was reported about 200 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and as the storm approached waves 25 feet high began battering the coast. The storm was described by the Weather Bureau as “large and dangerous,’’ with gales along a 350-mile front. More than 5000 people were being housed and fed in Red Cross shelters in the North Carolina coastal area this morning, a Red Cross official reported. Waves 30 feet high were reported by the Diamond Shoals lightship, guarding Cape Hatteras, which is known as “the Graveyard of the Atlantic,” U.P.I. said. A northerly turn by “Esther” last night apparently spared the North Carolina coast a direct blow, although hurricane force winds were predicted for the outer banks. The centre of the storm was expected to pass east of Cape Hatteras on a course parallel to the North Carolina and Virginia coasts.

On the North Carolina coast, tides continued to rise and were expected to reach a peak of eight feet above normal. Flooding occurred in many places on the lowlying Hatteras highway. Ferry service on the outer banks was suspended. National Guard units in both North Carolina and Virginia were on stand-by alert. North Carolina National Guard units moved amphibious vehicles to the Pamlico River town of Washington for use in possible flood rescue operation. Churches, schools, theatres, armouries and fire stations were designated as hurricane removal centres. The Governor of North Carolina (Mr Terry Sanford) urged the removal of as many residents of the outer banks as possible, but there were hundreds of hardy bank residents who chose to stay, U.P.I. said. Stores and homes were shuttered and many in lowlying areas were sandbagged against possible flooding.

Military and naval InMallations in the area reported they were battened down. Removal of tourist* and late-summer tourists was almost 100 per cent, complete. Motels and hotels in the Elizabeth City. North Carolina, area were filled with the influx of tourists fleeing from the banks.