1955 was 80 years ago and the 1955 Hurricane Season was an active season. 1955 was part of the first active phase of the Atlantic Basin the first active phase was from 1925-1969. Also this season was above average due to a La Nina. 1955 was part of the Spring 1954- February 1957 La Nina. 1955 had 5 destructive hurricanes. The first destructive hurricane was Hurricane Connie. Connie was also 1 of 3 hurricanes to make landfall in North Carolina.

On August 3rd the Hurricane Hunters discovered a healthy looking wave just off the coast of Africa. Later that day it was declared a tropical depression. Early on August 4th ship data reported winds were 50 mph and the pressure was dropping. Hurricane Hunters discovered that the depression had rapidly become a tropical storm overnight and named it Connie. What would now be called the Hurricane Center started to issue bulletins that Connie could become a strong hurricane due to warm ocean temperatures and a favorable environment. Connie became a hurricane on August the 5th and continued to intensify at a steady rate.

On August the 6th flight data showed Connie had become a 105 mph category 2 hurricane and was continuing to get better organized. Later that night Connie became a major hurricane with winds up to 115 mph making Connie a category 3 on the current scale. on August 7th Connie continued to strengthen reaching 125 mph winds. Later that night into August 8th Connie reached its peak with winds 140 mph and a pressure of 944 millibars this made Connie a category 4 hurricane.

For the next 36 hours Connie stayed at major hurricane status with category 4 and 3 strength. on August 10th drier air from a cold front caused Connie to weaken to a category 2 hurricane and later that night Connie had winds of 90 mph making Connie a high end category 1 hurricane. It became clear that Connie would most likely make landfall in North Carolina as a ridge of high pressure would pull Connie into the state.

On August the 11th Connie started to restrengthen and become better organized as the wind shear lessened. The winds increased to 100 mph making Connie a category 2. On August the 12 Connie made landfall in North Carolina with winds of 105-110 mph as high end category 2 hurricane. On August the 13th Connie moved into Virginia still producing damaging winds. The Remnants of Connie moved into the Appalachia Mountains of Virginia and West Virginia and dissipated on August 15th.

Connie was very destructive in North Carolina and Virginia. North Carolina had a high surge, winds over 100 mph, and flooding rains due to Connie's slow movement. In Virginia Connie produced winds of 70-80 mph, and flooding rains. Most people killed by Connie were killed by the storm surge and severe flooding.

Overall, Connie caused $88 million in damages, and 77 deaths most of the damage was in North Carolina and Virginia. Due to the impacts and high death toll. The Name Connie was eventually retired from the naming lists. Connie though was a sign of what was to come as 2 more hurricanes would make landfall in North Carolina. One could argue that Connie, Diane, and Ione the 3 North Carolina hurricanes from 1955 set the benchmark for North Carolina hurricanes. A lot of people still talk about these 3 hurricanes tot his day and it was 70 years ago.