Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Irene

As you can imagine, hurricane Irene is on everyone's mind. We are watching the forecasts and tracking the storm. We are also making preparations. One of the most wearisome aspects of a major hurricane like this is the days of waiting, watching, preparing, and uncertainty before the storm passes by. It can be very exhausting.

As frequent readers of this blog know, I enjoy sharing island history, stories, and glimpses into everyday life on Ocracoke. For the next few days I will be suspending my usual focus as we concentrate on the weather and how islanders are responding to the forecasts.

Keep checking and I'll keep you updated as often as there is news to report, or as long as I am here, or as long as I have power and Internet access. I may publish several reports in one day...or I may not. We'll see.

18 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:11 AM

    Philip, my friend, you do what you need to do. The most important thing is for you, Amy, David and Lachlan to stay safe!!!!!!

    Hoping Irene will push out to the east and only be a mere inconvenience. So much can change in the prediction of the storm's path as you only too well know.

    I'm so sorry that the residents of Ocracoke and the visitors (who in many cases have waited all year to come and enjoy the beauty of the island) have to deal with Irene.

    Keep the Faith and we'll catch ya later.

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  2. Anonymous6:13 AM

    Stay safe !!! We will all be thinking of our friends on Ocracoke.

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  3. Wow. Ocracoke just made the LOCAL news in Cincinnati OH regarding the evacuation.

    Thanks so much for the updates. Hopefully Irene will continue to change course. Positive thoughts to all on my favorite island!

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  4. Hey neighbor to the sutherd...Hope you O'cockers stay safe and none of us get whacked to hard. Praying Irene will stay offshore. Started the preps yesterday. Groceries bought. Dad is moving the camper to higher Buxton ground today. Off tomorrow, so will be securing everything on the porch and in the yard. The song "Come on Irene" seems to be coming to mind this morning !

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  5. Dawn Taylor7:47 AM

    I stand corrected. The song is "Come on Eileen". Oh well :)

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  6. Anonymous7:51 AM

    Prayers and thoughts to the people and the island itself over the next few days. Let's hope Miss Irene decides to swing back out to sea!!

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  7. Anita Baker8:23 AM

    Praying for everybody on Ocracoke. Please make the right choices to stay safe my friends.

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  8. Anonymous8:44 AM

    I'm far from any hurricane area, but I always watch them with fear and trepidation ... and even more so when one of my favorite places in the world is in the crosshairs. My heart is heavy for Ocracoke and all the other cities in the path of this storm. You're in my prayers.
    Jackie

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  9. Anonymous10:19 AM

    stay safe everybody - you are all in our thoughts & prayers

    Sherrill & Bill Page (Maryland)

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  10. Praying for a smooth ride Phillip. Be careful.

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  11. Anonymous10:33 AM

    Brian Carter, I believe, just did a great phone interview on The Weather Channel with Al around 10 Wed morning. It sounds like everything is moving along very well and everyone knows what is expected.

    Take good care and know you have so many mainlanders who love you all and cherish Ocracoke Island. Stay safe!

    Irene is no friend of mine!

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  12. debbie s.10:54 AM

    stay safe and dry!

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  13. Anonymous11:35 AM

    Both Irene's I've met were nothing but hot air (no substance). Hope this one is the same. Take care.

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  14. Anonymous12:23 PM

    Ocracoke Island did make the news here in Cincinnati OH. We're thinking of you and hoping everyone stays safe. Keep us posted on what happens on the island. This has been a definitely weird mother mature week between earthquakes (2 in one week) and this hurricane.

    Be safe all.

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  15. Julie S.12:58 PM

    Thinking positive thoughts for you and all of Ocracoke! I'm curious, do most residents stay and if so, do you stay together someplace or in your own homes. It imagine would be difficult to leave one's home!

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  16. Anonymous2:30 PM

    Please stay safe, Philip, and thanks so much for the updates. We're thinking of all of our beloved Ocracokers!

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  17. Nancy2:31 PM

    Thinking of you and yours and everyone else there and praying you'll all be safe.

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  18. Ocracoke is on my mind every morning here in Bloomington, Indiana, where I start my day with coffee that I drink from a beautiful mug purchased last summer at the Village Craftsmen. Thanks for keeping us updated, Philip! Your blog is a lifeline for many of us who care about the island and the welfare of all the residents who make it such an incredible place to be! Hope we can be a bit of a support network for you as you face yet another few days of battening down the hatches and digging in! Fingers crossed that Ocracoke will be spared from any serious storm damage once again this year.

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