Massive booms, shaking felt from Myrtle Beach to northern New Hanover County

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Residents from Myrtle Beach to Ogden reportedly experienced loud booms Thursday night.

WECT received dozens of calls and messages from people in Monkey Junction, Southport, Ogden and beyond who felt large sonic booms that shook their homes around 7 p.m.

Meteorologist Eric Davis says there were no official reports of an earthquake in the area from the US Geological Survey. Neither the Coast Guard nor the Air Station at Cherry Point have any knowledge of military exercises going on or any cause for the booms.

Law enforcement also confirmed they’ve received calls about the booms Thursday. Southport Police Chief Todd Coring says while officers have checked the area, they have found no emergencies.

The National Weather Service of Wilmington says the loud booms may have been caused by aircraft off the coast breaking the sound barrier.

“During this latest series of booms, radar observed chaff around the time of the reports indicative of the presence of military aircraft,” it said in a tweet. “Chaff is used by military aircraft as a radar countermeasure in training.”

A similar chaff signature appeared on radar off the Brunswick County coast in 2016 following a loud boom that was heard throughout most of southeastern North Carolina.

[ What is causing the Seneca Guns? ]

Typically, these loud booms are attributed to the mysterious Seneca Guns.

According to the US Geological Survey, the term “Seneca Guns” is commonly used to describe the roaring, loud detonations residents have reportedly heard along the Carolina coast. Sometimes the booms can be traced to man made things like explosions, earthquakes or construction, but others remain a mystery.

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