Hurricane Lee has left an impact on the wildlife and natural context of the OBX

By Outer Banks Times

Sep 20, 2023

Hurricane Lee has made its presence known in the OBX area of North Carolina, leaving a significant impact on the wildlife and natural context of the region. Despite not being a direct hit, the storm has caused high tides and disrupted the normal patterns of wildlife in the area. This strange phenomenon has raised concerns among the local community.

North Carolina has faced its fair share of storms in the past, but recent events have prompted a reflection on the lessons learned. Local mayor Jeff Winecoff of Boiling Spring Lakes acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the weather and emphasizes the importance of being prepared for future storms. The installation of new systems after Hurricane Florence has provided some hope for better protection in the future.

The power of Hurricane Lee is expected to bring strong winds and large waves, potentially affecting the upcoming flounder season. While the NC Division of Marine Fisheries does not plan on changing the season, the hurricane's impact on supply and demand could lead to issues. Patricia Smith, a spokesperson for the division, acknowledges the potential challenges that may arise.

Fortunately, the state of North Carolina has been spared from the direct path of the storm, with the OBX area expected to stay nearly 300 miles off the coast. However, this proximity could pose a greater danger to the coastal border. Oceanographers are actively working on developing strategies to address this issue and mitigate potential damage.

As Hurricane Lee continues to make its presence felt in the OBX area, the community remains vigilant and hopeful that the lessons from previous storms will help them navigate this latest challenge. The impact on wildlife and the natural habitat serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, prompting a renewed commitment to preparedness and resilience in the face of future storms.

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North Carolina has been a victim to these storms before, it's nothing new. But because of recent storms, the community is reflecting back on what they have learned. WECT 6 published an article with quotes from local mayor Jeff Winecoff of Boiling Spring Lakes “All kinds of weather come through here,” said Winecoff. “And, you know, we’ve seen with Florence, the 100-year storm with all the rain and water we had, so we want to make sure we have everything in place for those precautions in case something like that happens again.” He is hopeful that the new systems installed last time will help in the future.

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The power of hurricane Lee is expected create large waves and gusty winds. These conditions could potentially cause a delay in the up coming flounder season. Patricia Smith a spokeswoman for the NC Division of Marine Fisheries says they don't plan on changing the season, but because of the supply and demand the hurricane caused there may be issues.

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The state of North Carolina got lucky with their land being spared in the storm, the OBX could still be effected and other coastal areas. The coast has reportedly been expected to stay almost 300 miles off shore. But in a way it could be more dangerous to the border of the coast than anything at all. Oceanographers are working on creating substantial ideas to help this issue.

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