Longwood, Ocean Isle Beach report heaviest snowfall as storm blankets Brunswick County

LONGWOOD, NC (WWAY) — Parts of Brunswick County appear to have taken the hardest hit from the winter storm, with some communities reporting well over a foot of snow.

Viewers shared images from Longwood, near the South Carolina border, where snowfall totals reached an estimated 17 inches. The deep accumulation left homes and roadways buried, and officials said it could take days for residents to fully dig out. Despite the conditions, a few people were seen venturing outside early Sunday.

Along the coast, Ocean Isle Beach also reported significant snowfall, with an estimated 15 inches on the ground, an unusual sight for the beach community.

WWAY reporter Bryan Alonso traveled toward Ocean Isle Beach and stopped in Shallotte, where conditions were noticeably quieter than usual for a Sunday morning. Alonso reported minimal activity along Main Street and Washington Road, with only a handful of customers at a local gas station.

Traveling south along U.S. 17, road conditions were described as surprisingly good, with plows having serviced the highway. Both lanes were open, and snow pushed aside by plows lined the shoulders. In town, including along Old Shallotte Road, only a few vehicles were seen, indicating many residents were heeding warnings to stay home.

Homes and businesses throughout Shallotte remained covered in snow, giving the area a rare winter appearance. One resident walking through the snow said the storm was a welcome sight.

“I feel pretty good about the snow, especially because it’s next to the beach,” the resident said. “It’s pretty rare to see snow, especially this much snow. I feel wonderful about this snow.”