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.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
