From August 7 and 9, small craft were advised to exercise caution over the eastern Bahamas and western subtropical Atlantic Ocean as the system approached the region. By 9:30 a.m. on August 10, small craft warnings were in effect for the extreme northern Bahamas, and along the United States coast from
Miami, Florida to
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. By the morning of August 11, storm warnings were in effect from
Wilmington, North Carolina northward to Cape Hatteras and from
Savannah, Georgia to
Fernandina Beach, Florida. Hurricane warnings were in effect from Savannah northward to Wilmington. All coastal warnings were dropped by August 12. A storm tide of was measured along the coast of South Carolina. The cyclone inflicted $1.5 million in damage in
Charleston, South Carolina, while Savannah, Georgia received $1 million in damage. Damage to the country's coastline totaled $3 million (1940 USD). Two people at Savannah died, one of whom from heart failure due to fright. The highest reported rainfall amount in Georgia was recorded was one mile east of
Louisville while the highest amount in South Carolina was reported from
Charleston, where fell. On the coastal areas where the hurricane hit, there was a considerable loss of life. Early press reports said that 35 had died. According to the Monthly Weather Review, the deaths were low because of
hurricane warnings and evacuations. However, modern sources indicate that 50 people died during this storm. After leaving the coast, the dissipating storm brought heavy rains that sparked disastrous flash floods. The floods inundated much of
Tennessee, the Carolinas and northern Georgia. Rainfall amounts across western North Carolina exceeded , with the highest amount recorded at
Idlewild, where fell. The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina railroad line was severed so badly it ceased operation. The peak discharge of the flood along Wilson Creek near
Adako, North Carolina was estimated at . A total of 26 perished during the Deep Gap Debris Flow in
Watauga County, North Carolina alone. Major portions of the county were cut off for two weeks. Debris flows and flooding cut off
U.S. Highway 421 in 21 places through a six-mile stretch of roadway between Deep Gap and Maple Springs in
Wilkes County, North Carolina. Flooding destroyed 90% of the bridges in
Caldwell County, North Carolina. Press reports stated that 30 people died in the floods. Damage amounted to over $10 million (1940 USD). Rains began in
Virginia on August 13, as the system entered the state from the west. Deluges flooded locations across southern and western sections of the Old Dominion.
Hampton Roads measured of rainfall. The highest rainfall amount statewide was recorded at
Copper Hill, where fell.
Emporia, on the
Meherrin River, recorded a flood of record on August 17 when the river crested at , which was feet above
flood stage. Mountain rivers and streams overflowed, washing out bridges and causing landslides which blocked roads. Several highways between
Norfolk, southwest Virginia, and
Asheville, North Carolina were closed. A collision on August 13 involving the
oil screw F.B. Scarbrough above Coles Point may have been caused by this system. == See also ==