post Irene

We were incredibly lucky on Ocracoke during Irene.  The tides were low when the storm was passing to our west, and we came out of the storm in much better shape than our neighbors on Hatteras Island and on the Hyde County mainland. 

Late Saturday night the winds finally stopped and the crickets and frogs started up again, so we hauled the chairs back out to the porch and sat together in the deep darkness. 

On Sunday everyone started restoring order, taking boards off windows, putting boats back in the water, clearing limbs and the trees that went down, gathering piles of shingles that broke loose.  It was hot and still.  All over the island you could hear the thrum of generators and chainsaws.  Lots of helicopters made low passes over the island to assess our situation. 

Ferries were shuttling Emergency Service workers on Sunday and Monday, and the rest of us took long walks on the beach, or gathered some friends and went out in boats to visit Portsmouth.  Our cell service was up quickly, so there were lots of conversations reassuring evacuees and others that homes and vacation houses had weathered the storm. 

It seems unlikely that we'll be ready for visitors by Labor Day weekend, but everyone is encouraged to visit later this fall, once we are restored to a power supply.  Locals will be delighted to have the business, I promise.

storm clouds

Ignore my previous post:  I'm stayin'!  Micah offered a place to park my car on his nicely elevated properly.  Thanks, Micah! 

The rain bands have started but we're secure inside this well built house.  Going to inventory the fridge and make some food that's easy to eat when the power goes out. 

crunch time

Ok, I've decided to evacuate.  If my uninsured car floods I can't afford to replace it and vacation all winter long in the manner to which I've grown accustomed.  Spent the morning securing my propane tank and double checking the yard.  Boats are out of the water and secured in various creeks around the island. 

My lovely island home is as secure as possible; just waiting for Jason to help me board up a few windows.  Heather is staying and she'll be taking photos.  wovv.org is broadcasting on line, and people have been in the studio giving updates.  It's worth a listen. 

Ocracoke is lovely and quiet right now, but there is a sense of anxiety as everyone checks that their property is in order. 

preparation

The dump was a hive of activity today, as everyone has cleaned up the yard of their Ocracoke Island homes in preparation for Hurricane Irene.  It's not window boarding time yet, but I'm sure that will happen if she keeps heading our way. 

I plan to check the forecast tomorrow and possibly head inland on Thursday.  I'm also gathering board games and a list of friends who are staying, in case I decide to ride it out.  WOVV 90.l fm is broadcasting updates.  You can listen even if you're not on the island, at wovv.org. 

the not so endless summer

It feels like summer season on Ocracoke Island is winding down.  Vacation homes are still full, and people are bobbing in the ocean, escaping the heat, but the tell tales exist.  Locals are talking about how we only have a few weeks until Labor Day.  People are making plans to get together when things are a little quieter.  College students have departed, so we're all pulling a few more doubles to make up for the reduced workforce.  Discussions about the annual fall housing shuffle have begun. 

I spent a lovely morning at the Campground beach, drifting and reading.  Get out there!  Summer doesn't last forever.

surfer boy

8 a.m. phone call, waking my friend who is blissful in her air conditioned nest:  "Dude!  The waves are sick!  You have to cover my shift." 

And she does, on incredibly short notice.  This is one of the ways locals on Ocracoke support each other during the dog days of summer. 

I'm off to see if those waves need some medicine.

sexy and single

I spent part of my day walking around the village with Susie, talking to attractive single men about fun and romantic things to do on Ocracoke Island.   Not a bad way to pass the time.   Now we have some hot dudes and cool dates lined up for the WOVV Bachelor Auction, which will be held a week from tonight on the lawn at Books to Be Red.  7 pm.  Be there.   Support Ocracoke Community Radio.  Show some love for the bachelors.  Or just come because it's a screaming good time.