First you say that the tornado "battered" Carolina Beach; then you say there were no significant damage reports. Which one is it? What is your definition of "battered"?

Sounds like sensationalism at its finest.

sen·sa·tion·al·ism/senˈsāSHənlˌizəm/Noun: (esp. in journalism) The use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy, in order to provoke public interest or excitement.