Hurricane Alley is the name that was given this stretch of the NC coast. Northeasters run past us on the way North. Some famous Hurricanes were Carol (8/54), Edna (9/54), Hazel (10/54) then Connie (8/55), Diane (8/55) and Ione (9/55). Hazel cost 100 million (1954 dollars) damage. She killed 19 people and injured 200 others. The highest winds clocked were 150 mph.

Since then, homes are built on pilings instead of slabs which just slid over into the surf. New building code requirements called for construction that could withstand 125 mph winds. Weather forecasting is so very much more accurate now that when a storm approaches there is a very quick and efficient evacuation if needed.

In 1996 Hurricane Fran arrived with furious winds and rain. Hardest hit was North Topsail. The winds were 115 mph and this storm caused the worst recorded economic natural disaster in N.C. History.

She came ashore in Wilmington and headed straight up west into Raleigh. Some of my friends evacuated Topsail and headed to Raleigh (way inland) the day before. It was there, in front of their hotel, that a huge tree crushed their new car.

Mother Nature - she does exactly what she wants.

Real Estate for Sale Topsail Island NC - Real Estate for Sale Surf City NC - Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center - Helen Marotto Realtor

Loggerhead turtles naturally come to Topsail Island's un-crowded beaches. The Sea Turtle Project works diligently to make sure as many Loggerhead's as possible make it back to the sea after hatching.

Turtles nest from middle of May through mid August during which time volunteers from all over come to Topsail to help with the hatching and protect the eggs from birds, dogs, foxes, and people. Once they reach the sea, they are on their own.

The Sea Turtles are very important to everyone in the area. The regular volunteers take their work seriously even to the point of moving tanks inland if a Hurricane threatens. Turtles that wind up in the hospital are usually victims of a shark or an illness and many times they are injured by boats and propellers.

The adult female turtle can weigh between 200 and 300 pounds and when she builds her nest, the number of eggs average 125. There are as many as 100 verified nests per year on Topsail Island...do the math. Sadly only a small percentage make it to adulthood. It is estimated by some scientists that 1 in 1000 become reproductive adults. Yet another group says 1 in 10,000 and they do not reach sexual maturity until the age of 25 to 30 years.

Endangered...you bet! And for very good reasons.

Real Estate for Sale Topsail Island NC - Real Estate for Sale Surf City NC - Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center - Helen Marotto Realtor

Topsail Island.....never heard of it when I lived in NJ and when I finally (1996) got down here to look around, it reminded me of the “Jersey Shore” that I knew and loved except it was really under developed as far as restaurants, shops, etc..

I saw some weird buildings now and then, heard some Wartime (2^nd) stories and had lots of questions. Happily I got a hold of a book called Echoes of Topsail...stories of the island's past.

Topsail Island, a barrier island, is 26 miles long and about 500 to1500 feet wide depending on the tide. It sits virtually equal distant between Wilmington and Jacksonville in the area of North Carolina known as “Hurricane Alley”. That name is scary but since I am living here since March 1999 and only had to evacuate one time, I feel that could be an overstatement.

The shores of Topsail are rich with Teeth...shark's teeth, that is. We found a huge one (Megaladon) a few years back- bigger that my husband's thumb and wide. Don't have it anymore as our grandson was in that “show and tell” age so we shipped it up North to him on loan however he remembers us saying it was his- and so we continue to look every time we are at the beach. 

About 20,000 years ago, lots of Great White's teeth were deposited all along the shore. Come and find one- maybe just a tiny one, but who knows. Walking and looking for shells means you also see lots of our birds like, Pelicans, Oyster Catchers, Blue Heron, Snowy Egret and Ospreys.

Look out at the surf and if you are lucky you can see the Dolphins who love to play here. Fish abound whether you like to fish off the piers (several of them) or from the beach. Our son has a favorite place where the ocean meets the Intercoastal and the “rip” simply boils with fish depending on the time of year.

Look next for: Loggerhead turtles and famous Hurricanes......

Please stop by and visit our decorated model home at 501 Highlands Dr in Hampstead, NC 28443. OPEN Friday - Monday from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Home is in the award winning Topsail School District in one of Hampstead's most popular communities. Each Brick Home, built around the area's links style, Golf Course, offers a Maintenance Free Exterior. Enjoy Hardwood Flooring throughout the Family areas with carpeted bedrooms. The open Kitchen offers Granite Countertops with Stainless Steel Appliances and is perfect for special gatherings. The Bathrooms offer ceramic tile with white cabinetry. Great attention to cabinetry, moldings and additional upgrades. The Family Room offers a Coffered Ceiling with Detailed Molding. Relax and enjoy Entertaining on the Screened-In Porch overlooking the Golf Course. Our Golf Course Community offers amenities of Golf, Clubhouse with Restaurant, Pool, Tennis Courts and Fitness Center. Each home offers a Full Initiation Membership to Castle Bay Golf Course. This home is now available for occupancy.

Call me with any questions (910) 512-7293

Home for Sale in Pelican Reef Subdivision Hampstead NC

Priced right for a quick sale! This 3BR/2.5BA contemporary home on wooded half acre lot in Pelican Reef features family room with fireplace and wetbar, breakfast nook that looks out over natural backyard. This 2058 sq ft home is light and bright with windows and french doors looking out onto the backyard deck. 2 car side load garage with oversized parking pad. Pelican Reef has great amenities for only $561.00 per year HOA. Come see the Pool, Fitness Center, Clubhouse, Canoe Dock, Boat Corral and more.

 $245,000