Hunkered down

Andy Denmark · Post by **Andy Denmark** » Aug 26th, '11, 09:57

Everything here is as ready as it's going to get. Rhiannon is anchored out on the usual storm setup (used many times in these same conditions) --- 40 lb Herreshoff pattern Luke and a 22 lb Bruce, both on 30 ft of 3/8" chain and 100 ft of 5/8" 3-strand nylon (new -- and I thought gold was expensive!). 200 yds east of her is Cheoah (Farmerchase's PS 34) on a recently refurbished mooring. Alert (Alberg 30) is secure in the middle of her 55 X 22 slip at the face dock, double tied at all 4 corners w/ springs and chafe gear. Floating dock section is safely tied between seawall and walk-on pier.

Water is coming up -- a foot or so since 0900 -- and east wind is picking up with the glass falling slightly, now 1010. All dinghies are tied down, house is secure, tight and yard is bare of everyything. I'll pick up anything on the shop floor and place on three sheets of plywood across 2 sawhorses. Hand tools, etc, will go in the Dyer Dink that will float up if the water gets high enough to go into the shop. Since the shop is enclosed there won't be any wind to upset the Dink and everything inside it stays dry.

This is about all that can be done and I'll be headed out after lunch for points west. Wx is supposed to deteriorate rapidly mid- afternoon with wind picking up and torrential rains starting, the typical pre-hurricane pattern. Mandatory evacuation begins at 1300, anyway.

The Carolina capes are ground zero for Atlantic seaboard hurricanes and we get more practice at this than most anyone else ( I can't fathom what these conditions could do to a large metropolitan area). Irene seems to contain all the makings of a "perfect storm" type of event and will undoubtedly test emergency preparedness in the bigger cities from Norfolk northward.

Break is over -- I'm out to the shop to do the last items on the checklist.

Good luck, all,

Andy

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » Aug 26th, '11, 10:22

Good luck, Andy.

Let's all update when, as and if we can, as Irene works its way north.

The Navy, by the way, has ordered most of Second Fleet out of Norfolk and to sea, to ride out the storm. It's easier for the ships but I feel for the sailors.

Andy Denmark · Post by **Andy Denmark** » Aug 27th, '11, 07:13

Eye wall is 18 miles south of Oriental. Village is on direct path of projected center. Latest info (updated until batteries run out) at:

http://www.towndock.net

Might set high water record with this one. 18 inches higher and water will be over my finished floor height -- and my floors are a foot over the building code requirement. Over this and there's major damage.........

No word on my home or boats.

We are accustomed to both the wind and high water -- and get to to test both in real time fairly frequently. Concerned about those who don't know how to deal with these.

More later when there's something to report.

Paul D. · Post by **Paul D.** » Aug 27th, '11, 07:52

The very best of luck to all of you on this one. I feel I can speak for all of us northern CD sailors and say you are in our thoughts and prayers. Andy, sounds like you have done all you could do.

M. R. Bober · Post by **M. R. Bober** » Aug 27th, '11, 08:56

Let's hope Irene is a fast mover.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where the rain is now horizontal.) VA

Parfait's Provider · Post by **Parfait's Provider** » Aug 27th, '11, 09:46

Andy,

I pray that we have seen the worst and the waters will recede. It is still messy in Wrightsville Beach.

I'd appreciate any news you get from the creek. Parfait is sitting at the outermost slip at Point Marina and I am not particularly comfortable.

Good luck!

Ken

Andy Denmark · Post by **Andy Denmark** » Aug 27th, '11, 09:52

Third-hand info says water is receding. No way to tell how high it got. Irene's eye seems to be camped on top of Broad Creek per several radars. Tree down on clubhouse at Yacht Club. All coms are out except for Amateur Radio Emergency Service, a very active group in/around Oriental, most on frequently tested emergency power via weekly net practice sessions.

People on site are busy caring for their own situations so there will be some delay in getting more info. I'm trying hard to be patient ......

Nothing heard about security of boats ......

More later ..........

Andy Denmark · Post by **Andy Denmark** » Aug 27th, '11, 09:54

Ken, Parfait is on the watch list and I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything ........

Zeida · Post by **Zeida** » Aug 27th, '11, 10:36

Jim Cantore is now at Battery Park NYC. Not good. It is 11:30 and we r getting feeder bands already. I am praying hard for all our friendS along the Cheasapeak and NJ shore, L.I.Sound all the way to Maine. What a disaster. What has happened at Beaufort and Oriental?

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Aug 27th, '11, 11:30

FYI

Ken Coit posted on Facebook 20 minutes ago.....

Parfait's Provider · Post by **Parfait's Provider** » Aug 27th, '11, 11:48

It's fine here.

Zeida · Post by **Zeida** » Aug 27th, '11, 12:39

Yay Beaufort!

Parfait's Provider · Post by **Parfait's Provider** » Aug 27th, '11, 12:45

We moved Parfait from Beaufort to Whortonsville in late January. I forgot to update my profile until today.

Andy Denmark · Post by **Andy Denmark** » Aug 27th, '11, 14:28

Information coming out of Oriental is minimal due to continued high water, no power, cell, or landline comms -- only ham radio reports (simplex only as repeater is offline now) so those are limited to what can only be seen from home sites. Water peaked and then went down a little shortly after peaking and there it has seems to have stayed.

Emergency response and medical responders cannot leave the Pamlico County bases in Bayboro due to impassable conditions with high water, downed poles, electrical wires, so they are no help with damage assessment reports. In short, all responders are grounded until water recedes.

Town Dock.net is no longer powered up and their cell connection no longer operative.

Report from Sea Harbour Yacht Club says water peaked with about a foot of piling tops showing so no damage due to loose boats or docks there. Viewed from several hundred yards away SHYC seems to have had no boat pileups or sinkings. Downed tree leaning against clubhouse but no roof impingement.

Cannot report anything from the village.

No reports from Broad Creek area.

More reports when I have them but there is no info coming out.

rghinson · Post by **rghinson** » Aug 27th, '11, 15:48

Heard from Pecan Grove Marina. The water level rose to 4.5 feet above the docks submerging all electrical equipment and shore power pedestals; however, water is rapidly receding and no boats broke loose. I am waiting to hear whether there was any damage to my boat but think I may have dodged the bullet. I hope everyone else fared well.

Reid Hinson
CD33 First Star
Oriental, NC

The Cape Dory Board

Hunkered down

Hunkered down

Check in when you can

First Information from Oriental

Good luck, Andy

Broad Creek Situation

Sketchy info

Parfait

Irene

Ken Posted from Raleigh, not Oriental

Not in Berthed in Beaufort any longer

1500 update - Oriental