Hurricane Ginger facts for kids

Hurricane Ginger was a very powerful storm that lasted for a long time in 1971. It was one of the longest-lasting hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Ginger started on September 6, 1971, and finally ended on October 5, 1971. This storm hit eastern North Carolina on September 30, causing a lot of damage.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a huge, spinning storm that forms over warm ocean waters. These storms have strong winds, heavy rain, and can cause big waves and flooding. Scientists give them names to help track them. Hurricanes are measured by their wind speed, and Ginger was a strong one.

Ginger's Long Journey

Hurricane Ginger began its life far out in the Atlantic Ocean. It grew stronger over many days, becoming a major hurricane. At its strongest, Ginger had winds of 110 miles per hour. This speed makes it a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. What made Ginger special was how long it lasted, nearly a full month! It traveled a long way across the ocean before finally reaching land.

Impact on North Carolina

After its long journey, Hurricane Ginger finally made landfall in eastern North Carolina on September 30, 1971. The strong winds and heavy rains caused a lot of problems. Many homes and buildings were damaged, and trees were knocked down. The storm also caused flooding in some areas. The total damage from Hurricane Ginger was estimated to be around $10 million, which was a very large amount of money at the time. Even after hitting land, Ginger slowly weakened and finally disappeared.

Images for kids

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  This ESSA 9 weather satellite image of Hurricane Ginger was taken on September 27, 1971 at 1904 UTC

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  Rainfall from Ginger

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  Aerial view of a beach in North Carolina after Ginger

See also

In Spanish: Huracán Ginger para niños