Many thanks to all of our readers who are concerned about Ocracoke as hurricane Irene approaches. I have been working all day hauling old bicycles and other clutter to the dump, taking lawn mowers and other equipment out from under my house and storing them inside, pulling my skiff out of the water, trimming limbs around the hill wher I'll put my car, etc.
I am planning to relax for about an hour or so before friends come over for a glass of wine and dinner (I made deviled clams). Then Amy & I have ghost and history walks tonight. There will be plenty of time to get my plants and a few other items inside tomorrow.
I just received the following notice from Hyde Co. Emergency Services:
"[A] state of emergency [has been] declared for Ocracoke and Hyde County mainland effective 5 AM, Wednesday, August 24, 2011. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all visitors and tourists of Ocracoke/Hyde County beginning at 5 AM on Wednesday. A voluntary evacuation has been issued for all residents of Ocracoke/Hyde County beginning at 5 AM on Wednesday. There will be a mandatory evacuation for everyone for Ocracoke/Hyde County beginning at 5 AM, Thursday, August 25, 2011. Note: The mandatory evacuation starts for tourists and visitors on Wednesday at 5 AM and will continue on Thursday.
"During the state of emergency, the NC Ferry system will be on a first-come, first -serve basis for all vehicles open to Hatteras, Swan Quarter, and Cedar Island pending road conditions in those receiving counties. Schedules and toll collections are suspended during the evacuation order."
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the marine hospital on Portsmouth Island. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082111.htm.
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hill?
ReplyDeleteI guess everything's relative. :)
Every area of the village that is even a foot or two higher than surrounding areas will be covered with automobiles before Irene comes ashore.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, Philip. I heard earlier that Ocracoke may be evacuated, and I hope and pray that all of you will be safe!
ReplyDeleteSee ya'll next June!
Don Davis
(The one from Alabama)
keep safe. here near raleigh were hoping she makes a little more of an eastern curve too! And yup - i felt the quake as well!
ReplyDeleteHang in there! Hoping and praying Irene will be pushed out to sea before reaching O.I. Prayers are with one and all!
ReplyDeleteRe: Earthquake....was helping an elderly man from my church in his kitchen (Person co, NC) when the quake struck. Crystal shook; hanging mugs swayed; containers danced across the counter; floor vibrated so much my friend had to grab hold of the counter for support. My childhood home is near Mineral, VA....my mother's cabinet doors flew open; knick knacks fell and broke; TV turned to the side; much vibration, but folks who were outside didn't notice it much.
Other than that, beautiful day!
We're expecting a plague of locusts any time, after today's quake and the storm on the way.
ReplyDeleteTry as I might, I'm hard pressed to think of many places where you could drive a car that has elevation, but I'm sure natives know the places (there'a few on Springers Point I know, and a few rises in the village.
I suppose if worse comes to worse, one could jack up a car and stick a couple of cinder blocks under each wheel to gain some elevation.
I hope and pray that you don't have to add another water level marker to the corner of your shop.
I've been quietly reading your blog for some time now, having been a frequent visitor to my little Ocracoke for over 20 years. I grew up vacationing there and now bring my three boys twice a year...more, when we can swing it.
ReplyDeleteI've been watching Irene and sending my love to Ocracoke and everyone there. Here's hoping that you are spared the worst of it!
Thank you for such thoughtful blogs filled with history and interesting island tidbits!
xo, Jane
Good Luck, Hope everyone will be Safe, as always everyone we know on the island will be in our Thoughts & Prayers, guess I'll be watching the webcams as long as power last on the island. NN
ReplyDeletePhilip,
ReplyDeleteWe were so concerned when we heard of Irene's projected path toward Ocracoke. Please know that we will be praying for all the O.I. residents' safety and for their property to be protected and not harmed. Keep us posted and be safe...praying our beloved island is spared any significant damage.
Hope you all stay safe. Our thoughts and prayer to everyone on the island.
ReplyDeleteSo, I guess you are staying? Best of luck to you all. I'll be thinking about you and saying a prayer that all are safe.
ReplyDeleteI have been visiting the island since summer of 1988. For many years now I bring my daughter every summer. We love the magical place you call home and we call our second home. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We pray and hope that this hurricane takes a detour to the east and grows much weaker.
ReplyDeleteBE safe Phillip, and make sure Blanche gets on high land.
ReplyDelete