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{{Short description|Category 2 Atlantic hurricane in 1971}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Hurricane Ginger
| image = Ginger1971sep131221z.gif
| caption = Image of Hurricane Ginger on September&nbsp;13
| formed = September 10, 1971
| extratropical = October 6, 1971
| dissipated = October 7, 1971
| duration = {{Age in months, weeks and days|year1=1971|month1=09|day1=06|year2=1971|month2=10|day2=03}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 95
| pressure = 959
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1971
| fatalities = 1 direct
| damage = 10000000
| areas = [[The Bahamas]], [[North Carolina]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1971 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}

'''Hurricane Ginger''' was the [[List of Atlantic hurricane records|second longest-lasting]] [[Atlantic hurricane]] on record. The eighth [[tropical cyclone]] and fifth hurricane of the [[1971 Atlantic hurricane season]], Ginger spent 27.25&nbsp;days as a tropical cyclone, lasting from September&nbsp;6 to October&nbsp;3. Twenty of those days (September 11 – September 30), Ginger was classified as a hurricane. The storm formed northeast of the Bahamas, and for the first nine days of its duration tracked generally eastward or northeastward while gradually strengthening to peak winds of 110&nbsp;mph (175&nbsp;km/h). On September&nbsp;14, Ginger slowed and turned to a general westward track, passing near [[Bermuda]] on September&nbsp;23. There, the hurricane produced gusty winds and high waves, but no damage.

While over the western Atlantic Ocean, Ginger became the last target of [[Project Stormfury]], which sought to weaken hurricanes by depositing [[silver iodide]] into tropical cyclone [[rainband]]s. Ginger ultimately struck [[North Carolina]] on September&nbsp;30 as a minimal hurricane, lashing the coastline with gusty winds that caused power outages across the region. Heavy rainfall flooded towns and left severe crop damage, with 3&nbsp;million [[bushel]]s of corn and 1&nbsp;million bushels of [[soybean]] lost. Damage in the state was estimated at $10&nbsp;million (1971&nbsp;US dollars$, {{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|10000000|1971}}}} {{#time:Y}}&nbsp;USD). Further north, moderate precipitation and winds spread through the [[Mid-Atlantic states]], although no significant damage was reported outside North Carolina.

Ginger has the highest [[Accumulated cyclone energy#Individual storms in the Atlantic|accumulated cyclone energy]] for a hurricane below major hurricane strength in the Atlantic basin, at 44.2.

==Meteorological history==
{{Storm Path|Ginger 1971 track.png}}
Hurricane Ginger originated in a [[cold-core upper-level low]] that persisted for several days in early September in the Western Atlantic Ocean.<ref name="prelim1"/> The upper-level low was located within a large, persistent area of [[convection (meteorology)|convection]] from the [[Gulf of Mexico]] through the central Atlantic, which resembled the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]] but at a higher latitude. The convective feature was influenced by an [[anticyclone]] located over northern South America, which was opposite of the typical flow for September. The anticyclone also led to the formation of [[Hurricane Fern (1971)|Hurricane Fern]], [[Tropical Storm Heidi (1971)|Tropical Storm Heidi]], and two tropical depressions.<ref name="mwr">{{cite journal|author1=Robert H. Simpson |author2=John R. Hope |journal=Monthly Weather Review |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1971.pdf |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |volume=100 |issue=4 |date=April 1972 |pages=256–267 |title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1971 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1972)100<0256:AHSO>2.3.CO;2 |bibcode=1972MWRv..100..256S |s2cid=119771736 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923015222/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1971.pdf |archive-date=2008-09-23 }}</ref> By September&nbsp;5, the low had descended to the surface as its thermal structure warmed, and the next day it developed into a tropical depression about 235&nbsp;mi (375&nbsp;km) northeast of [[the Bahamas]].<ref name="prelim1">{{cite web|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=1971|title=Hurricane Ginger September 5 - October 5|access-date=2011-02-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/ginger/prelim01.gif|format=GIF}}</ref>{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

After forming, the depression moved slowly southeastward for about 24 &nbsp;hours before turning to the northeast, slowly organizing in the process. On September&nbsp;10, the depression turned eastward, and later that day intensified into Tropical Storm Ginger, the seventh [[named storm]] of the year in the Atlantic, about 325&nbsp;mi (525&nbsp;km) south of Bermuda. The storm quickly intensified, and within 24&nbsp;hours reached winds of 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h), making it a hurricane. It turned to the northeast, passing well to the east of Bermuda. Late on September&nbsp;13, Ginger attained its minimum [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] of 959&nbsp;[[bar (unit)|mbar]] (28.32&nbsp;[[inch of mercury|inHg]]), and early the next day reached peak [[maximum sustained wind]]s of 110&nbsp;mph (175&nbsp;km/h). After reaching a position about halfway between Bermuda and the [[Azores]], the hurricane's eastward movement halted due to a building [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] to its north and east. It turned sharply southward before turning and beginning a westerly drift, during which Ginger weakened to minimal hurricane status.<ref name="prelim1"/>{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

[[File:GingerSep2719711904UTCESSA9.gif|thumb|This ESSA 9 weather satellite image of Hurricane Ginger was taken on September 27, 1971, at 1904 UTC]]
For about six days, Ginger maintained minimal hurricane status.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} As it meandered over the central Atlantic Ocean, it maintained an unusually large [[eye (cyclone)|eye]], reaching 80&nbsp;mi (130&nbsp;km) in diameter.<ref name="prelim2">{{cite web|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=1971|title=Hurricane Ginger September 5 - October 5 (Page 2)|access-date=2011-02-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/ginger/prelim02.gif|format=GIF}}</ref> On September&nbsp;18, Ginger turned to the south and slowly executed a tight counterclockwise loop within three days. By September&nbsp;21, the hurricane was tracking south of due west, and the next day suddenly intensified to winds of 90&nbsp;mph (150&nbsp;km/h). Its westward track briefly posed a threat to Bermuda, although Ginger passed 115&nbsp;mi (185&nbsp;km) south of the island on September&nbsp;23 while slowly weakening. On September&nbsp;24, Ginger decelerated before beginning a turn to the southwest. By September&nbsp;26, Ginger briefly weakened to minimal hurricane strength, although re-intensification resumed as the track turned to the west and northwest.<ref name="prelim1"/>{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Around that time, Ginger absorbed the smaller and weaker [[1971 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Storm Janice|Tropical Storm Janice]] to its southeast.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=1971|title=Preliminary - Tropical Storm Janice, September 21–24, 1971|access-date=2011-02-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/janice/prelim01.gif}}</ref>
[[File:Hurricane_Ginger_weather_map,_September_30,_1971_(721103).jpg|thumb|[[Surface weather analysis]] of Hurricane Ginger approaching landfall in North Carolina on September 30]]
For three days, beginning on September&nbsp;26, the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] deployed planes into the hurricane as part of [[Project Stormfury]], the fourth hurricane to be a part of the [[weather control]] experiment.<ref name="mwr"/> The plane dropped [[silver iodide]] into the center of the hurricane, although there was no effect due to Ginger's large eye and diffuse nature; this was the last seeding done by the project.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=H. E.|last1=Willoughby|journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|volume=66|issue=5|pages=505–514|date=May 1985|title=Project STORMFURY: A Scientific Chronicle 1962-1983|access-date=2011-02-14|url=http://www2.fiu.edu/~willough/PUBS/STORMFURY_85.pdf|first2=D. P.|last2=Jorgensen|display-authors=1|bibcode=1985BAMS...66..505W|first3=R. A.|last3=Black|first4=S. L.|last4=Rosenthal|doi=10.1175/1520-0477(1985)066<0505:PSASC>2.0.CO;2|archive-date=December 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224406/http://www2.fiu.edu/~willough/PUBS/STORMFURY_85.pdf|url-status=dead}} See p. 507.</ref> By September&nbsp;28, Ginger was moving northwestward toward North Carolina and was steadily intensifying. At around 06:00&nbsp;[[UTC]] the next day, the hurricane reached a secondary peak intensity of 105&nbsp;mph (165&nbsp;km/h), which it maintained for about 18&nbsp;hours. Afterward, Ginger slowly weakened, and late on September&nbsp;30 it made [[landfall]] near [[Morehead City, North Carolina]], with winds of 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h). It quickly deteriorated over land, weakening first to a tropical storm and then to a tropical depression by late on October&nbsp;1. Ginger turned to the north, entered southern Virginia, and later turned to the east. On October&nbsp;3, it transitioned into an [[extratropical cyclone]] while crossing [[Hampton Roads]] into the Atlantic Ocean. The remnants of Ginger continued east-southeastward until being absorbed by a [[cold front]] on October&nbsp;5.<ref name="prelim2"/>{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

==Preparations==
The threat of the hurricane in Bermuda prompted the British [[Royal Navy]] to evacuate a ship, and also resulted in two cruise ships leaving early.<ref name="upi923">{{cite news|newspaper=The Deseret News|date=1971-09-23|title=Ginger Hits Bermuda|agency=United Press International|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wLVSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fH8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5090,5443860&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> The United States military also evacuated some planes and secured the units that remained. Officials closed all of the island's schools during Ginger's passage.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bermuda Battens Down|agency=Reuters|newspaper=The Phoenix Sun|date=1971-09-23|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qeZgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tG8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3963,4507323&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref>

Before Ginger struck North Carolina, the [[American Red Cross]] set up 28&nbsp;emergency shelters in six counties, where about 5,500&nbsp;people stayed during the storm.<ref name="pb"/><ref name="eve">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=1971-10-01|title=Ginger Loses Some Snap|newspaper=The Evening Independent|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GPILAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fVcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5605,129805&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> The National Hurricane Center issued a [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|hurricane watch]] from [[Wilmington, North Carolina]], to [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], with gale warnings extending northward to [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware]].<ref name="upi930">{{cite news|agency=United Press International|date=1971-09-30|newspaper=The Hour|title='Ginger' Slams Carolina with 90 MPH Blasts|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hQUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9nUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1604,4482228&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> United States military officials evacuated planes and ships from the [[Norfolk, Virginia]], region, in addition to flying planes down the coast to warn boaters of the approaching storm.<ref>{{cite news|title=90-MPH Hurricane Hits North Carolina, Causes Floods, Power Outages|date=1971-09-30|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Toledo Blade|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nclOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3AEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7460,4939994&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> Ferry services around the [[Outer Banks]] were canceled during the storm's passage, while the Coast Guard ordered the evacuation of workers in three lighthouses.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|date=1971-09-30|title=Hurricane Ginger Aims Winds at N.C. Coast|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a5YgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=L2gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1466,3703482&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref>

==Impact==
[[File:Ginger 1971 rainfall.gif|thumb|250px|left|Rainfall from Ginger]]
As the hurricane passed south of Bermuda on September&nbsp;23, it produced heavy waves, as well as [[gale]] force winds for 17&nbsp;hours. [[Naval Air Station Bermuda]] reported peak gusts of 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h).<ref name="prelim2"/><ref name="upi923"/> There was no reported damage, and the hurricane's passage failed to alleviate persistent drought conditions.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Vancouver Sun|agency=Associated Press|date=1971-09-24|title=Ginger Down to a Purr|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ZplAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AIsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2626,3438192&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref>

While Ginger was still in the vicinity of Bermuda, it produced high swells and [[riptide]]s along the [[East Coast of the United States]], prompting the issuing of small craft warnings from Florida to North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Boca Raton News|date=1971-09-24|title=Ginger spawns rip tides and severe inlet conditions|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9rZTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k4wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2061,2449137&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> Wave heights reached {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on}} in [[Sebastian, Florida]],<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Times-News|title='Ginger' is stalled in mid-Atlantic|agency=United Press International|date=1971-09-25|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0u4eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wCQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6026,2252251&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> and one person was killed in [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]] from drowning. There were also initial reports of two missing people in [[Neptune Beach, Florida]],<ref name="ap930b">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|date=1971-09-30|title=Hurricane Hits Carolina Coast|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XKdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=j_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7107,4663533&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> but they were not listed as casualties in the year-end hurricane summary.<ref name="mwr"/>

As it moved ashore in North Carolina, Ginger produced a [[storm tide]] of around {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} along the Outer Banks and up to {{convert|7|ft|m|abbr=on}} in [[Pamlico Sound]].<ref name="prelim2"/> The storm dropped heavy rainfall peaking at {{convert|15.58|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Bodie Island]] along the Outer Banks, making Ginger among the wettest tropical cyclones in the state. Rainfall from the storm extended southwestward into South Carolina, where precipitation reached {{convert|4.98|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Cheraw, South Carolina|Cheraw]].{{Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Southeastern United States}} In [[Atlantic Beach, North Carolina]], wind gusts reached {{convert|92|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, the highest associated with Ginger in the United States.<ref name="mwr"/> The hurricane had a large wind field upon moving ashore, affecting a large portion of North Carolina; one county official considered Ginger the largest storm in the region since 1936.<ref name="ap930"/>

[[File:Ginger damage.jpg|thumb|260px|Aerial view of a beach in North Carolina after Ginger]]
Strong winds from Ginger damaged store fronts and windows,<ref name="ap930"/> and also downed power lines and trees. Morehead City, where the hurricane moved ashore, lost power and had debris strewn across the streets. The nearby cities of [[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]], [[Beaufort, North Carolina|Beaufort]], and Atlantic Beach also lost power,<ref name="upi930"/> and one company had 6,000&nbsp;customers without power.<ref name="pb"/> Heavy rainfall caused the [[Neuse River|Neuse]] and Trent rivers to exceed their banks, resulting in flooding.<ref name="ap930">{{cite news|author=Melvin Lang|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Free Lance-Star|date=1971-09-30|title=Ginger largest storm since '36|access-date=2011-02-17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BvRNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=14oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4775,3712267&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> Several oil tanks along the rivers broke open, creating dangerous boating conditions.<ref name="pb">{{cite news |title=Ginger Rakes North Carolina |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33496754/ |access-date=2019-07-03 |work=The Palm Beach Post |agency=Associated Press |issue=165 |volume=63 |date=1971-10-01 |location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Up to {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} of water from the [[Pungo River]] flooded most of the city of [[Belhaven, North Carolina|Belhaven]], and similar flooding occurred in [[Washington, North Carolina|Washington]], entering dozens of buildings and houses.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Pittsburgh Press|agency=Associated Press|title=N.C. flooded by Ginger|date=1971-10-02|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b8lRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vWwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7045,189463&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> Across the region, the combination of high winds, tides, and flooding closed several bridges and roads, including a portion of [[U.S. Highway 70 in North Carolina|U.S. Highway 70]]. The winds also destroyed several mobile homes,<ref name="ap930b"/> although coastal damage was less than expected.<ref name="pb"/> During Ginger's passage, the [[Salvation Army]] and Red Cross provided more than 3,000&nbsp;people with food assistance.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Star-News|date=1971-10-08|title=3,000 coastal residents given food during storm|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4alOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tQkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7192,1440762&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref>

Further inland, the combination of strong winds and rains left heavy crop damage,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Boca Raton News|date=1971-10-01|title=Ginger dampens N.C.|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-7ZTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k4wDAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20ginger&pg=4030%2C3075063}}</ref> destroying 3&nbsp;million bushels of corn and another million bushels of soybeans; losses to the corn crop were mitigated due to about half of the crop having been harvested before the storm's arrival. Heavy damage was also reported to the peanut crop as well as to various fruits and vegetables.<ref>{{cite news|author=Robert Gordon|newspaper=The Times-News|agency=United Press International|title=Farmers Hit in the Pocketbook|access-date=2011-02-18|date=1971-10-13|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3u4eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wCQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4943,3826027&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> In some locations, up to 15% of the cotton crop was lost, particularly in the northeastern portion of the state.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Robesonian|date=1971-10-12|title=Ginger Stopped Cotton Harvest|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iKY_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=kVYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7200,881774&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> In [[List of counties in North Carolina|45 counties]] in the eastern portion of the state, farmers affected by the hurricane were eligible for loans from the [[Farmers Home Administration]], following federal approval from United States President [[Richard Nixon]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Robesonian|agency=Associated Press|date=1971-10-29|title=Robeson Among Counties To Get Storm Fund Aid|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l6Y_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=kVYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3457,2312773&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> Governor [[Robert W. Scott]] requested federal disaster aid for 24&nbsp;counties,<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Herald-Journal|date=1971-11-09|title=Scott Action on Hurricane Assistance Defended|access-date=2011-02-18|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q4UsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=88wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7299,1553242&dq=hurricane+ginger&hl=en}}</ref> which was denied.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency|date=2005-05-23|title=1971 Federal Disaster Declarations|access-date=2011-02-18|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema?year=1971|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222035053/http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema?year=1971|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2004}}</ref> Damage in North Carolina was estimated at $10&nbsp;million (1971&nbsp;USD$, {{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|10000000|1971}}}} {{#time:Y}}&nbsp;USD),<ref name="prelim2"/> of which about $1&nbsp;million (1971&nbsp;USD$, {{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|1000000|1971}}}} {{#time:Y}}&nbsp;USD) was from [[coastal flooding]]. One death occurred in Washington when a vehicle accident was possibly caused by a wind gust;<ref name="eve"/> however, it was not conclusively linked to Ginger.<ref name="mwr"/>

As the storm crossed into Virginia, it continued to produce heavy rainfall, including a total of {{convert|7.61|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]]. Near the border between Virginia and North Carolina, the storm produced tides of up to {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} above normal.<ref name="mwr"/> Gusty winds of over {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} downed a few trees, causing scattered power outages. Above-normal tides and waves caused moderate to heavy [[coastal erosion|beach erosion]] in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]].<ref>{{cite web|author=David M. Roth|year=2007|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/valate20hur.htm|title=Virginia Hurricane History: Late Twentieth Century|publisher=[[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]|access-date=2009-01-14}}</ref> Further north, Ginger produced above-normal tides, light winds, and scattered rainfall along the [[Delmarva Peninsula]] and northward through New York.<ref name="mwr"/>{{Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid Atlantic United States}}

==Record longevity==
Hurricane Ginger formed on September&nbsp;6 and lasted until October&nbsp;3, for a total of 27.25&nbsp;days.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Its duration surpassed that of [[Hurricane Inga (1969)|Hurricane Inga]] in 1969, which was the previous record-holder, by three days.<ref name="prelim1"/> In 2003, it was discovered that the [[1899 San Ciriaco hurricane]] lasted as a tropical cyclone longer than Ginger, although its duration as a tropical cyclone was not continuous. This made Ginger the second longest-lived of any Atlantic hurricane, but it remains the storm that lasted the most consecutive days as a tropical cyclone in the basin.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

Ginger spent 20&nbsp;days as a hurricane from September 11 to September 30, one of the longest durations on record at that intensity. In addition, Ginger co-existed with several other tropical cyclones, including on September 11 when there were four named storms at the same time, a rare occurrence; the others were [[Hurricane Edith (1971)|Hurricane Edith]], Hurricane Fern, and Tropical Storm Heidi.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[List of wettest tropical cyclones in the United States#North Carolina|List of wettest tropical cyclones in North Carolina]]
*[[List of North Carolina hurricanes]]
*[[Tropical Storm Ginger (1967)]] – an earlier storm of the same name
*[[1899 San Ciriaco hurricane]] – the longest-lived Atlantic hurricane on record

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080923015222/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1971.pdf Monthly Weather Review]

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[[Category:1971 Atlantic hurricane season|Ginger]]
[[Category:Category 2 Atlantic hurricanes|Ginger (1971)]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in North Carolina|Ginger]]
[[Category:1971 natural disasters in the United States]]