Waterspout Causes Damage to Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, at approximately 2:15 PM, a sudden and unexpected waterspout wreaked havoc at the Avalon Pier, leaving both residents and visitors in disbelief. Witnesses reported that the waterspout, which formed rapidly off the coast, appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local resident Jared Thompson was sheltering under the pier to escape the rain when the storm made its sudden appearance. “All of a sudden, it just swept everything off of the beach and everything landed in the water,” he said. “It just sucked everything out like a vacuum.”
A Miraculous Escape
Thompson described the chaos that ensued and expressed astonishment that no one was seriously injured despite the destructive force of the waterspout. “A skin board slammed into somebody’s leg and broke in half,” he recounted. “I don’t know how he didn’t get hurt.” His years living on the Outer Banks had never prepared him for such an event. “I thought it was just a gust of wind. I grew up down here. I’m 51 years old, and I’ve seen a lot of weird things, but that was really weird.”
Damage Assessment
Initial assessments indicated that the damage to Avalon Pier included overturned chairs, scattered beach gear, and debris floating in the water. Local authorities were alerted, and cleanup operations began shortly after the storm passed. Many beachgoers were seen gathering their belongings and assisting in the recovery efforts.
The waterspout incident serves as a reminder of nature’s unpredictable power. As residents of Kill Devil Hills and visitors alike remain alert, many are left contemplating the unusual weather patterns experienced in recent weeks.
Ongoing Coverage
Residents are encouraged to stay connected for updates on the situation and to keep safety first in case of any further weather disturbances. Stay informed as the community continues to recover and rebuild.
