As I appear to be the closest to where this Hurricane is supposed to strike first I have received e-mail from several of you. It is apparent that you would like to know how things are progressing and what things look like from the perspective I have here. I was just down to Kitty Hawk on the Beach. Waves there are already three/four feet above normal. The County of Dare is closed to access with all traffic coming out on evacuation orders. The area known as Croatan Trail north of the Kill Devil Hills Post Office will likely disappear. They have been biting the bullet there since the Oct 91 northeaster. Areas with significant erosion in NC will be Rodanthe, Avon and corolla, carova. the latter is only accessible by Jeep as there is no road in. NFIP direct is the best bet in area. The write your own companys just switched from Seibels bruce to Hartford mostly all that was written in the area in the way of business especially arround Manteo and the beachfront. Inland will be NCJUA in Currituck but if you are not already approved by them it will be too late. Their list of approved companies is at least a year old in preperation. If you wish to use the internet system here beware as Adelphia controls the bulk of the area with 300 miles of ancient cable which will be the first to go. Telephones which are Sprint Lada based will also go and will be sometime before they will be on. Hotels and Motels are all booked for residents at this point. So, if you are coming here be aware of a couple of points. Traditionally, the dismal Swamp overflows cutting off 158 east/north of the city area. Beach access will be only through Great Bridge Va if 158 at Moyock doesnt flood out. Rt 64 from the west is always the first to go as is Rt 17. Call NC Dept of highways before making any attempt to move through area. Make sure you have a NC Adjusters License before coming in area. Very strict here. Basically, we will cut off here for awhile so dont hurry to get here
Right now winds about 10/15 mph. Will up date as events progress.
Anybody needing additional data feel free to e-mail me at albadj@adelphia.net
latest recon indicates a minimal cat 3 with a closed eyewall, and pressure dropping. I hope nobody unpacked. Next recon is at 8 then at 11. If there is a trend, could become a cat 4 in my book
Suns out no rain or wind. No indication of what is coming. Imagine the surprise if we didnt have TV to tell us what is coming. Community is not taking it vey serious as they have not boarded up like in the past. One major dockyard marina in trouble as they blew a rod in their lift so they can not get their customers boats out of the water to safety. no real change in water or wave action since yesterday.
Alas, it has begun within last thirty minutes the wind has started to pick up with gusts to 15mph and it is starting to sprinkle rain. A bit of an oddity has shown itself just in time. With all the rain the mosquitoes are out and everywhere. Bring blood plasma and anti-west nile virus serum. Thats right there isnt any. Oh oh sounds like trouble.
In the Eye of the Storm
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Posted - 09/16/2003 : 17:47:12
