Towns in Brunswick County get some of the most snow it has seen in years

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY)–Heavy equipment was needed to clear the way to Ocean Isle Beach on Saturday, as it got so bad police wouldn’t let people over the bridge, due to unsafe icy conditions. If the bridge was closed how could residents leave the island? Mayor Debbie Smith says only with safety officials.

In Ocean Isle Beach, they received 15 inches of snow, something Mark Thomas says he has never seen before in his 8 years living here.

“Got home last night from cooking out from a buddy’s home and it was fluttering. We got home, got ready for bed, woke up this morning, and boom, saw how beautiful this is,” said Thomas

To the North, over in Longwood, a whopping 17.7 inches. It is so deep that Donte Clark has multiples vehicles stuck in the snow in his driveway. He was shocked to learn he was the hardest hit by the storm.

“I couldn’t believe, it looked like a winter wonderland out there. Especially in the south near the beach. To get that much snow is unbelievable. I never had seen any type of snow that comes up to my knee, not ever,” said Clark.

Why did it snow so much in Longwood? WWAY’S Charles McKeller explains the phenomenon that dumped almost foot and a half of snow in Brunswick County.

“Dry air moved across the region on Saturday, creating a dry slot. Places like Wilmington and Carolina Beach didn’t see any snow for a couple of hours. As we look further into Longwood, that’s where they experienced heavier snowfall totals as indicated by the blue colors. Along with that moisture content from the Atlantic, and those gusty winds, which allowed heavier snow accumulations,” said McKeller

Despite the treacherous roads that WWAY had difficulty navigating in, the residents still managed to have a little bit of fun on behalf of mother nature.

“We are building snowmen and throwing a few snowballs, just enjoy the snow while we got it,” said Clark.