Evacuation

Hurricane Alex is the most destructive storm to hit Ocracoke in 60 years. There were no serious injuries or major damage. However the village has been declared a disaster area. More than 200 homes had tidewater inside, and several hundred automobiles were flooded beyond repair. The tide on Howard Street was 9" higher than in Hurricane Isabel.

All visitors are being evacuated today. Reliable electric power, and phone & internet service has only recently been restored.

Although not as many trees went down as last year, chain saws are heard throughout the village. I was just told that a house burned down in Oyster Creek. Apparently someone started a car that had been flooded. A short in the electrical circuit caused an explosion which set the vehicle on fire, and then it spread to the house. We're told that no one was hurt.

We have been helping neighbors and friends deal with significant water damage, but hope to be able to process internet orders no later than tomorrow.

We expect the island to be open to visitors early next week.

Here are a few photos taken August 3, 2004:

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