david crochetiere

My family and I are planning a vacation in North Carolina this summer/fall and would like to spend a few days in the first week of September on the outer banks. While reading brochures full of happy beach-going families we noticed that the hurricane season officially runs from august through October in this area and while we like excitement we would rather not spend our vacation in an emergency shelter. Can anyone who lives in this area or visits it frequently tell us whether this early part of the season usually gets hurricanes? If not full fledged hurricanes might we get alot of rain and storms anyway? Should we just avoid this area at this time of year and go another time? Thanks for the help.i

kam

blown away? Possibly! Used to spend summers on the outer banks but we left by Labor Day and often heard of hurricanes afterwards, as well as the bad rains that follow them even when they give up being hurricanes. Was in Bermuda once in early October and guess what we did for 3 days---lots of bar time and bridge time. That one wasn't so bad. I wish someone had a truthful answer to your question, but I don't think there really is one. It's a wonderful place, however, and well worth a visit.

Linda

That IS hurrican season, for sure. If what
"they" say is accurate, it could be an active
season. But, of course, no guarantees in
life...Good luck.

Suzanne Passavant

Early September in the Outer Banks is definitely prime hurricane season, BUT don't let that stop you. I've been vacationing in the Outer Banks during August & September for the past 7 years and have never been chased out by a storm. (now knocking on a huge piece of wood!!!). I guess I've been very lucky. There have been a few years when we arrived right after a storm passed through or our vacation concluded just as one was approaching, but never has our vacation been spoiled by hurricane. In fact, I think early September is THE PERFECT time to visit. Kids are back in school... roads a little less conjested... easier to get reservations at restaurants... weather is still summery and the water is beautiful and warm. We rent a house through R&R realty, and you can purchase vacation insurance from them (so you can get a refund on rented house for unused portion of week, should a storm strike.) I'm sure many of the area realtors make this option available. Bottom line... there's always an element of risk vacationing in Outer Banks in late summer, but I say it's well worth it!

Lisa S.

Been to Outer Banks several times in last 10 years at various times of the year. We find June and Sept. are the best months to avoid crowds. June was a little hotter but Sept. is still quite warm and so beautiful, especially on Hatteras Island/National Seashore area (much nicer than Kitty Hawk, Duck, etc).

As for hurricanes, they are an issue in the fall anywhere on the East coast, Bahamas, Carib., etc. But, hey, what's life if not a gamble!! It's worth the risk to go off-season, in my opinion.

We have rented the past few years from Hatteras Realty they have a website (hatterasrealty.com) where you can check for availability quite easily. There are so many houses to choose from but often difficult to get even in Sept. if not booked months in advance! Good luck and let us know what you decided.

jill

My brother and his family used to go every year to Duck in early September. My estimate is that one out of every 2 or 3 years they had to evacuate. Sometimes it would be just for a day or so, sometimes, they had to call it quits. It's a risk, but the crowds are fewer and the prices less than half, so they used to take the chance.