<P> A total of 79 tropical or subtropical cyclones affected North Carolina between 1950 and 1979 . Collectively, cyclones during the time period resulted in 37 total fatalities during the period, as well as about $3 billion in damage (2008 USD). A cyclone affected the state in every year during the time period, and in three seasons a total of five cyclones assailed the state . The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the time period was Hurricane Hazel, which struck the state as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir--Simpson Hurricane Scale . Hazel was both the costliest and deadliest cyclone during the period, causing over $1 billion in damage (2008 USD) and 19 deaths . Most storms affected the state in September, though cyclones lashed the state between May and October . </P> <P> The period from 1980 to the present encompasses 120 tropical or subtropical cyclones that affected the state . Collectively, cyclones in North Carolina during the time period resulted in over $10 billion in damage (2010 USD), primarily from hurricanes Fran and Floyd . Additionally, tropical cyclones in North Carolina were responsible for 77 direct fatalities and at least 44 indirect casualties during the period . Eight cyclones affected the state in the 1985 season, which was the year with the most tropical cyclones striking the state . Every year included at least one tropical cyclone affecting the state . </P> <P> The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the time period was Hurricane Fran in 1996, which struck near Wilmington as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir--Simpson Hurricane Scale; Hurricane Emily in 1993 brushed the Outer Banks also as a Category 3 hurricane . The deadliest hurricane during the period was Hurricane Floyd in 1999, which caused 35 fatalities and record--breaking flooding in the eastern portion of the state . Hurricane Irene hit the Outer Banks on August 27th 2011 as a Category 1, making it the first of its kind to make landfall since Hurricane Ike in 2008 . </P> <P> The following major hurricanes either made landfall on the state or brought winds of Category 3 status to the state . Storms are listed since 1851, which is the official start of the Atlantic hurricane database . </P>

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