OUTER BANKS, N.C. (WAVY) – The American flag that gained a national following as it flapped furiously in Hurricane Florence’s winds is going up for auction.

Thousands watched a live feed from the privately owned Frying Pan Tower off the coast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, Thursday as it documented the storm’s approach.

The flag was no match for Florence, which left it ripped and tattered. The tower itself survived the hurricane’s force, but the flag took a beating.

During a live chat Friday on the Frying Pan Tower Facebook page, owner Richard Neal said the flag would be returned to shore “respectfully and honorably” as soon as they could get back out to the tower to retrieve it. The plan is to then hand it over to the American Red Cross for them to auction and use the proceeds towards people in need.

The Frying Pan Tower is a Coast Guard Light Station 34 miles off the coast of the Outer Banks that has been turned into a bed and breakfast.

At some point Thursday, fans of the feed appeared to come together to rename Old Glory “Kevin.” Neal posted the following on social media:

If you have been following the chatter it seems someone decided to name our flag “Kevin”. Well, if so then Old Glory is Kevin. It is Paul, It is Nancy. It is Larry. It is Emily…  Old Glory represents all of us as Americans. Together, WE are America and we decide to pick up, start again and sew our tattered lives back together after the storms of life pass through! Let your actions show us all proud & together! Richard Neal