My Mom and Micheal's home took on water for the first time ever. They live in the back of Colington Harbor on a canal but right across the street from the sound. We have been through a few storms and hurricanes in that house and nothing compares to this storm. I have to say that my family was very fortunate compared to a lot of people. My parents will only be replacing some base boarding and flooring. My grandmothers house, also in Colington on the marsh only flooded in the garage. No major loss took place for her either luckily. There wasn't anything that can't be replaced. No memories were lost. So many people on the Outer Banks can't say that right now. People are just trying to pick up the pieces. Hearing someone say they don't even know where to start isn't uncommon.
With disaster comes so many emotions for everyone. Tears fall over the loss of the irreplacables and rage builds as frustration grows. The county let visitors back into the area way too soon. So many people have commented on how they really don't appreciate visitors driving by gawking, taking pictures and not lending a helping hand. Instead they want their rental vacation home spic and span and blasting cold A/C. Do they not understand the loss that has just occurred in the area? People need to be cleaning up and making arrangements to rebuild. Not serving the tourists in restaurants and handing out go-cart rides. These are peoples lives, their homes for heavens sake. At least give people a few days to start the clean up. There is a new inlet just north of Rodanthe. An inlet! Some tourists are treating it like 24 hours should be well enough time to get that fixed. They will be lucky to maybe have a temporary ferry system working in two weeks. There are thousands of people on Hatteras Island stranded with no power. Obviously we should be a lot more concerned about those people being able to leave or get supplies before we start letting more people into the area. With any storm comes looters. Hard to believe when people are knocked down to their lowest points now they have to deal with people trying to steal their stuff that may be sitting outside to dry out. Or looters just entering a home through windows that have been busted out by the rushing flood waters. Its just a bloody shame that the locals of the Outer Banks are having to deal with any added stress. I completely understand that the lively hood on the beach relies on tourism, but how are these people supposed to serve you when some have been left with nothing or in the least a whole lot of cleanup. Neighbors are trying to help neighbors and that's how it should be. Not catering to the tourists right now. Not only were homes destroyed but so were businesses. A very close friend of mines family restaurant is demolished. That restaurant is their way of life and it won't be able to open again till next season. The sound ripped the flooring out. When you walk into the dining room you see open water flowing. Its so sad. I spent many summers helping bus tables or seating tourists there. If I spent the night with this friend growing up it wasn't uncommon to get a phone call calling us in to come help out because it was so busy. I can't imagine the stress my friends family are under right now seeing it all washed away like that.
If there is one thing the people of the Outer Banks do is they work together in a time of crisis. People are just doing what needs to be done whether is lending a hand, plowing out a strangers yard, walking by with a wagon of ice water and food to those working on the clean up. The list just goes on and on. I am so proud to say I grew up in a place that has a community like this. I'm so glad I get to call a place like that home. My heart and prayers go out to all of those affected by Irene. I hope that time passes quickly while you all clean up and rebuild.
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