Hanna (3)

There's not a whole lot to report at this time, although Amy, David, Lachlan, and I went out to the beach a little while ago. The tide is ebbing, but it had been up to the base of the dunes, leaving large tidal pools as far as we could see (Lachlan enjoyed splashing about in them). The breakers are large, frothy white, and getting wilder. Wind gusts are up to about 25 mph. Even so, the clouds part now and then, revealing blue skies and bright sunlight.

A reader asked about houses being washed off their piers. It happens sometimes, but I think the last time we had that much damage was in 1944 (the year I was born). In those days weather forecasting and communications were much more primitive, and most islanders, seeing clear blue skies, couldn't believe that a powerful storm was headed towards Ocracoke. During the hurricane a number of boats were pulled from their moorings, and several ended up on the shore. The bow of one was poked through a resident's bedroom window. Many homes had tidewater in them. I remember hearing of one older resident who described looking out her doorway and seeing a "wall of water" rushing toward the village.

I'll be joining David, Amy, Lachlan, and several friends for dinner in about a half hour, then it's off to the Pub to hear David, Gary, Marcy, & Lou play music. Of course, I've got to be back home by 8 to play poker. So I probably won't be posting any more hurricane news until tomorrow morning (unless something dramatic happens). If you don't see anything posted on Saturday it's most likely because the power is out.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the wreck of the Victoria S, and Ocracoke's first automobile accident. You can read it here.