The community lies south of Wilmington in a county that is more than 40 percent water, laced by the Cape Fear River, the Intracoastal Waterway and Snow's Cut. Housing here has grown quickly, from roughly 3,000 units in 2000 to about 4,700 by 2020, so many homes are fairly new while others date back decades.
Whatever the age of your house, you can call (866) 937-3230 after water, wind or fire damage. Fire & Water Energy works only as a referral service; we try to link Myrtle Grove residents with an independent restoration contractor who covers southern New Hanover County, subject to availability. How a call is handled, step by step, appears on how it works and the referral disclosure.
Hurricane alley south of Wilmington
New Hanover County has been part of ten FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000, including Hurricane Isabel (2003), Hurricane Ophelia (2005), Tropical Storm Hanna (2008), Hurricane Irene (2011), Hurricane Matthew (2016), Hurricane Florence (2018), Hurricane Dorian (2019), Hurricane Isaias (2020) and Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight (2024), plus a 2010 event for severe storms, flooding and straight-line winds.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington reports that Florence came ashore near Wrightsville Beach on September 14, 2018. A gust of 99 mph was measured at Federal Point, more than 30 inches of rain fell 3.7 miles south of Wilmington, and over 90 percent of the county lost power, some of it for more than ten days.
Wind-driven rain, roof leaks and plumbing failures
When a long-duration storm pushes rain sideways, water finds gaps around windows, vents and shingles that never leak in an ordinary shower. Extended power outages add another layer: sump pumps stop, refrigerators and freezers leak, and humidity climbs indoors. On a normal day, failed water heaters, dishwasher hoses and AC condensate lines are the more likely culprits.
For water damage restoration in Myrtle Grove, a contractor typically maps the moisture, extracts water, removes materials that cannot be saved and dries the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers. First-hour triage is explained under emergency water removal, and rain that blew in during a storm under storm water damage restoration.
Federal disaster declarations that included New Hanover County
FEMA records show New Hanover County was included in 10 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 hurricane, 2 severe storm, 1 tropical storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Myrtle Grove was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight (DR-4837)
- 2020 – Hurricane Isaias (DR-4568)
- 2019 – Hurricane Dorian (DR-4465)
- 2018 – Hurricane Florence (DR-4393)
- 2016 – Hurricane Matthew (DR-4285)
- 2011 – Hurricane Irene (DR-4019)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Myrtle Grove?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Myrtle Grove property.
Generators, kitchens and fire risk during outages
Long outages after a hurricane lead many households to run generators, candles and camp stoves, which raises the chance of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep generators outdoors and away from windows. Everyday kitchen and dryer fires remain common the rest of the year.
After a fire, a contractor will usually secure the home, remove burned debris, dry out water from firefighting, clean soot and treat odors in fabrics and ducts. Our fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup pages describe each stage.
Flooded streets, fallen trees and debris
The NWS describes Florence's flash flooding as closing many roads and inundating neighborhoods around Wilmington, with 350 water rescues in the nearby Wrightsboro and Ogden communities. The same storm set a record on the Cape Fear River at downtown Wilmington, topping the mark set by Matthew in 2016, and spawned tornadoes in the Bayshore area.
For homes that took on water, cleanup generally means removing wet drywall and insulation, disinfecting surfaces touched by floodwater and drying fully before rebuilding. If trees or wind opened the roof, tarping comes first. Both jobs are broken down on our flood cleanup and hurricane damage cleanup pages.
Humidity, closed-up houses and mold
Coastal humidity plus a week without air conditioning is a recipe for mold. Wet carpet pad, the backs of baseboards and the underside of cabinets are common hiding spots after a storm.
The EPA suggests that a homeowner can usually clean mold on an area smaller than about 10 square feet, after the moisture is fixed. Larger patches, growth tied to floodwater, or mold in the ductwork usually need a professional with containment and clearance checks. Read about mold remediation.
Safety checklist for Myrtle Grove households
- Call 911 for emergencies such as fire, injuries, gas leaks or live wires on the ground.
- Follow evacuation orders and updates from New Hanover County.
- Never walk or drive through floodwater; it can hide washouts and carry sewage.
- Take dated photos and video of every damaged area and item, and keep receipts.
- Standard homeowners policies often exclude flood; check with your insurer or agent about your own coverage.
Then call (866) 937-3230, or look through our North Carolina service areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Myrtle Grove):
- Wilmington · 7 mi
- Murraysville · 11 mi
- Leland · 13 mi
- Little River, SC · 46 mi
- Jacksonville · 50 mi
- North Myrtle Beach, SC · 51 mi
Myrtle Grove restoration FAQs
How strong were Florence's winds near Myrtle Grove?
The National Weather Service recorded a 99 mph gust at Federal Point and a 105 mph gust at Wilmington International Airport. Wind damage to trees, roofs and power lines was described as some of the worst in modern memory for the area.
How many disaster declarations has New Hanover County had?
FEMA has included New Hanover County in ten major disaster declarations since 2000. Most were for hurricanes or tropical storms, from Isabel in 2003 to Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight in 2024.
My house in Myrtle Grove is fairly new. Is mold still a concern after a leak?
Yes. Newer homes are often built tight, which can trap humidity after a leak, and drywall and engineered flooring absorb water quickly. Drying soon and confirming moisture readings is what prevents mold.
What should I do if the power is out for days after a storm?
Run generators only outdoors, away from doors and windows, and use flashlights instead of candles. Empty the refrigerator before it leaks, and photograph any spoiled food and damage for your insurer.
Restoration guides
- Hurricane Damage Cleanup
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Emergency Water Removal
- Flood Cleanup
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation