Hurricane Arthur and North Carolina

[Sea Hunt Video]

So, how did our North Carolina brothers and sisters (Andy D. and all) make out after Hurricane Arthur

From what I could observe on TV it looked like it was a significant Cat. 2 but could have been worse if it had been closer to shore.

Here's hoping everyone (CDers and non-CDers) survived with minimal damage and losses.

[Andy Denmark]

Robert,

Arthur was not a strong Cat 2 storm in NC - it barely made it to Cat 2 before getting to the NC coast. This storm brewed off the Florida coast, a group of thunderstorms that found themselves bunched together and developed some rotational motion that built up steam when they hit warm Gulfstream water. It didn't have the time to grow in size like the cyclones that start off the western coast of Africa and suck up moisture, area, and rotational speed as they cross the Atlantic.

Arthur's eye, by the radar anyway, appeared to make landfall at Cape Lookout before heading pretty much up the length of Pamlico Sound, sitting almost atop the barrier islands. Oriental was briefly in the NW quadrant but Arthur turned more northeast and picked up speed, reducing the "time on target" had she ventured more westward and moved more slowly. Water level in Oriental rose quickly to 2.83 ft above MHW and dropped just as fast, a quick spike that lasted < 2 hrs.

Rhiannon did fine in her slip with doubled up docklines and chafing gear. The only boat damage I've heard about (and that's only by email and phone) is on the boats that think that they can tie off a furled genoa with wrapped sheets and magically expect the top 2/3rds of the sail not to self destruct in storm winds. I'll try to attach a picture that shows the result of this faulty logic.

Report from Sea Harbour YC, where Rhiannon is now berthed, was ~ 3 ft rise above mean water and almost no property damage. SHYC has a well developed storm plan and owners and renters show up to lend help so manpower isn't a problem in executing emergency procedures. Removing power pedestals, installing storm shutters on all glass, stowing loose furniture and equipment, properly securing all boats, are all well practiced excercises for us. Dealing with hurricanes is a way of life on the NC coast and most structures are designed to withstand them.

Of course, the lamestream media hype makes these weather events sound more problematic than they are -- and granted, some are disastrous (Sandy), but Arthur was hardly worth the attention it received. They gotta' make news somehow and hyping up a rather mundane storm plays into the ginned up "Climate Change" scenario that some still cling to.

So you'll know, I have relocated to the Pacific Northwest as of January to be near my daughter's family and all I've posted here comes second-hand from my info sources back in Oriental. Looking at several options for Rhiannon, including a possible slip in Melbourne, FL or trailering her to Everett, WA. Can't deal with the winters here so something's gotta' give.

furling genoa .jpg

[Warren Kaplan]

Hi Andy,

Glad Oriental faired well. Also happy that you only have to read about it rather than live it, from where you are in Washington.

Arthur went by Long Island yesterday. It was far enough away that it produced hardly more than small craft warnings at times and periodic squalls. I haven't heard of any damage around western LI Sound. I'm headed to Oyster Bay today and I'll see what's what.