The Nation - News from April 15, 1988

A fierce northeaster pounded the mid-Atlantic coast with heavy rains, winds near hurricane strength and waves that covered highways. At least two houses toppled into the sea and the only bridge to Hatteras Island was threatened. The storm bore down hardest on North Carolina, where whipped sea foam covered beaches like a blanket of snow. Winds gusted up to 70 m.p.h. and waves crested at nearly 25 feet off Cape Hatteras. In Sandbridge, Va., Dick Schumacher said his $200,000 oceanfront home tumbled into the surf, and officials said about 20 other homes were threatened by high water and pounding surf. No serious injuries were reported. The northeaster, which takes its name from the prevailing wind direction during the storm, pushes tides to abnormal heights.