Southport weather tower damaged during overnight storms

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — As storms ravished the North Carolina coast Thursday night, an old Southport landmark twisted in the gale force winds and collapsed.

Welcoming visitors for over 100 years on the Fort Johnston Garrison lawn, the 1901 US Bureau Coastal Warning Display Tower, fondly known by locals as “The Weather Tower” will be missed by many.

The Southport Police Department says officers were patrolling the area when they saw the weather tower, located at the intersection of South Davis and East Bay streets, twisted and toppled over.

Officers secured and folded the flag and then shut off power to the structure. The structure fell between 10:30 pm and 1:00 am.

“An iconic Southport historic relic that has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember, was severely damaged last night during the storm,” Mayor Joe Pat Hatem said. It is important to our citizens and to our city that the weather tower of Mrs. Jessie Taylor be preserved. I have asked the City Manager, Mr. Bruce Oakley, to contact a structural engineer to give us our options.”

Police asks you avoid the area Friday until they can stay clean up.

“This is an important restoration project for the City, and we must salvage our heritage. There will need to be private funds involved and this process is already underway,” stated Hatem. “For now, anyone who would like to donate may deliver a check to City Hall marked for “Weather Tower Restoration Fund.”