Beachgoers return to Wrightsville Beach after strong wind and rain from Debby

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WNCN) — Wrightsville Beach saw a wide mix of weather Thursday from sun to rain to strong wind. Debby brought strong wind and heavy rain to the area overnight.

Perhaps the biggest damage along Wrightsville beach was the toppled over Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier sign. Matthew Johson’s family owns the pier he said the sign has been their for about 25 years, remounted from the old pier.

“I think it’s a lot of sentimental attachment, they grew up here, they saw this as part of their vacation, part of their tradition,” Johnson said.

People stopped by to take pictures of the sign. Employees call the sign iconic. Johnson hopes to have a similar looking sign put up.

Out on the beach strong waves crashed to nearly the top of the pier, but sunny skies and no rain brought out beachgoers.

Kim King is on vacation from Raleigh, trying to make the most of the trip with her grandchildren.

“This vacation has been rainy, but we’ve made it fun,” King said. “We try to make the best of it, even though it’s windy and the ocean is angry.”

Rain returned in the late afternoon before skies cleared up in the early evening.

A spokesperson for New Hanover County Emergency Management said they didn’t receive reports of any notable damage.

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