7-11 March 1989 (Figure 31) 



69. Forming over Alabama early on 6 March this complex storm moved off 

 the North Carolina coast on 7 March and promply stalled. Forming on a 

 stationary front over the Florida Keys, a secondary low pressure system 

 quickly intensified as it crossed Florida and moved into the Atlantic. 

 Blocked by a Canadian high pressure system, the storm slowly moved up the 

 coast, finally stalling off the Georgia coast, changed direction, and moved 

 offshore. By 11 March the storm no longer threatened the coastline. Maximum 

 wind speeds (from north-northeast) approached 18 m/sec at 0242 EST on 8 March. 

 However, onshore winds exceeding 15 m/sec lasted for 59 consecutive hours. 

 The maximum H^ (Gage 111) of 4.23 m (T p - 12.19 sec) occurred at 1934 EST 

 on 7 March. The minimum atmospheric pressure of 1,007.3 mb (this pressure 

 reading indicates that the storm's center was never close to the FRF) was 

 recorded on 6 March at 1442 EST. Precipitation totaled 28 mm. 



70. This storm destroyed or damaged over 100 cottages and motels along 

 the Outer Banks and as such was the most destructive storm in this area since 

 the infamous "Ash Wednesday" (March 1962) storm. In addition to the storm's 

 intensity and duration, several contributing factors coincided to increase its 

 destructive potential. These included spring tides occurring during the 

 height of the storm and a beach already severely eroded by intense storms in 

 February. 



64 



