BEAUFORT, N.C. - Overnight storms left behind a path of destruction in Carteret County and other parts of the east.
Today people in Carteret County spent the day cleaning after high winds ripped an 80-foot yacht from its moorings and caused extensive damage at a local airport.
Rick Maddox was sleeping on his boat at the Town Creek Marina in Beaufort as the storm came through.
He says "The lightning got us first. It was so bright it was coming through the hatch and woke me up".
Maddox says the lightning and wind made for a scary mix.
He says "Wind started and it just came in. Like a wall. It didn't build up to it. It just hit".
The storm even pushed this 80-foot yacht across the water. Crews spent the morning towing it out of the area. Several boats at the marina capsized in the storm.
He says "No one was prepared for what happened last night. Cushions weren't tied down. Canvases were blowing off".
The storm also hit the Michael J. Smith Field Airport in Beaufort.
He says "It's a mess and we are going to have to clean it up. As you can see, one of the doors blew in".
Airport Manager John Betts was surprised by the damage.
He says "Usually it's a hurricane. Never in a thunderstorm".
About a half-dozen hangars were damaged because by the storm.
And while there's a lot of clean-up still left to do, Emergency officials say it could be a lot worse.
They're just happy that no one was hurt during the storm that left behind some unexpected damage.
We checked and Betts says he doesn't know how much the damage will cost.
But he does say that to replace just one of the hangars is between 30 and 50-thousand dollars.
---ORIGINAL STORY---
BEAUFORT, N.C.- Overnight storms left behind a path of destruction in Carteret County and other parts of the east.
Winds ripped an 80-foot yacht from it's moorings at the Town Creek Marina in Beaufort. Tow Boat US crews were on scene this morning, towing the boat out of the area.
Several other boats capsized at the Marina. Many are completely destroyed from the storm.
There is also extensive damage to the Michael J. Smith Field Airport in Beaufort. Emergency officials tell us several hangars are destroyed or badly damaged.
Localized severe thunderstorms also produced nickel to quarter size hail at Indian Beach and Otway in Carteret County.
Meanwhile, West Greene Street in Snow Hill and Chelsie Road in Trent Woods saw felled trees from the strong winds as did Stantonsburg.
The Harkers Island Draw Bridge even measured an 82 mph wind gust at 3 a.m.
Nine On Your Side's Smitha Rao is following the story and will have more at Noon on Eyewitness News 9.
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