Winter Storm Event
Heavy Snow, Blizzard
Started: March 1, 1980 at 12 am EST Ended: March 2, 1980 at 12 am EST |
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On the afternoon and evening of March 2, 1980 North Carolina experienced a major winter storm with heavy snow across the entire state and near blizzard conditions in the eastern part of the state. Snowfall totals were reported as 2 to 7 inches in the mountains, 6 to 8 inches in the piedmont, 12 to 18 inches in the coastal plain, and 7 to 12 inches in the southern coastal area ranging up to 25 inches at Elizabeth City. The winds in eastern North Carolina were 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 30 to 40 mph. Maximum gust recorded was 62 mph at Cape Hatteras. Winds caused snow drifts up to 8 feet. All travel in North Carolina came to a stop with many stranded motorists in eastern sections. Property damage was estimated at $21.8 million with nearly $10 million in Duplin County to the poultry industry. There were 13 storm related deaths: Beaufort County- Death from heart attack attributed to shoveling snow, Duplin County- Death from exposure, four injuries caused by collapsed roof, Onslow County- Two deaths caused by a mobile home fire, rescue and fire vehicles delayed due to impassable roads, Pamlico County- One death from heart attack attributed to shoveling snow, one death due to exposure, Pender County- Two deaths caused by exposure, Lenoir County- Two deaths by heart attack attributed to shoveling snow, one death due to exposure, Hertford County- One death caused by exposure, Bertie County- One death due to exposure. | |||
Injuries | 4 | Deaths | 14 |
Property Damage | not available | Crop Damage | not available |
Event Analysis from the National Weather Service in Raleigh | |||
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Weather Station Data
Snow Sleet Freezing Rain Rain Mix |
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