{"id":3515,"date":"2026-07-20T14:38:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T14:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3515"},"modified":"2026-07-20T14:38:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T14:38:35","slug":"eerie-glowing-seen-at-night-above-utility-poles-on-nc-coast-whats-behind-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3515","title":{"rendered":"Eerie \u2018glowing\u2019 seen at night above utility poles on NC coast. What\u2019s behind it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strange things are expected when a coastline is known as the \u201cGraveyard of the Atlantic<\/a>,\u201d and this includes the mysterious orbs seen pulsating at night over utility poles in eastern North Carolina.<\/p>\n

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It happens in places like Surf City<\/a>, about 130-miles southeast of Raleigh, and the phenomenon is known to spook tourists, the Surf City Fire Department noted in a July 17 Facebook post.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the more common calls our department receives, especially during the summer months, is for power poles that appear to be sparking or glowing at night,\u201d the department says. \u201cIn many cases, this is a normal occurrence.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also not unique to Surf City. The same phenomenon occurs at other coastal communities, where utility poles stand in the path of an ocean breeze, experts say.<\/p>\n

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So what\u2019s causing it?<\/p>\n

\u201cSalt from the ocean can build up on power line insulators. When even a small amount of moisture is present \u2014 such as from humidity, dew, or sea mist \u2014 it can cause a visible electrical arc or small flashes of light,\u201d the fire department says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is known as salt contamination arcing. While it may look alarming, these small flashes are typically not an emergency and often continue until the salt buildup burns off or is washed away by rain.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sparking has been known to last \u201cfor hours or even days,<\/a> depending on the weather,\u201d according to the coastal utility company Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation.<\/p>\n

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While it is \u201cnothing to fear,\u201d that doesn\u2019t make it safe, experts say.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever attempt to investigate it yourself,\u201d Surf City officials said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Glowing orbs are often seen atop utility poles near North Carolina\u2019s beaches at night, and utility company experts say it\u2019s a \u201cnormal\u201d coastal phenomenon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3514,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nEerie \u2018glowing\u2019 seen at night above utility poles on NC coast. 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