I have a question for anyone that knows the answer please.

Why is it considered the Third U.S. Landfall along the North Carolina coast??
If its because it crossed the Florida keys first and then the Mainland of Florida hence two
landfalls? Why? The keys are part of Florida.
Would a storm coming from the Atlantic moving to the West into North Carolina also
have two landfalls if it crossed the Outer Banks and then into North Carolina?

It doesn't make a lot of sense to me maybe it's a technicality.....??

i guess it's because the outer banks are barrier islands that close in intercoastal waters, whereas the keys just jut out into the florida straits. there's also the question of prominence. drive out to hatteras, you're still in north carolina. drive to the end of u.s. 1, and you're in the conch republic. -HF