Lots of lightning

This morning was bright and sunny. Then, it was overcast most of the afternoon. Starting at about 3PM, there was a lot of lightning. Shortly after that, a downpour and a windstorm. Tonight, the clouds have blown out, they sky is completely clear and millions of stars are easily visible. That's spring on the Outer Banks for you - the only predictable thing about it is that it will change.

One of the cool things that sometimes happens when there is lightning in coastal areas is the creation of fulgurites. I hope to find one someday, but so far haven't been that lucky.

Another potential consequence of lightning - this one neither figuratively nor literally cool - is fire. On Ocracoke, fire is more of a concern than in other places (not that fire is not serious everywhere, of course). There are a few primary reasons: the close proximity of the structures in the village, the fact that our fire department is small and volunteer, and the difficulty (nay, impossibility) of receiving assistance from neighboring fire departments. (As an aside, if you want to support the fire department, you can send them a donation (Box 332 Ocracoke NC 27960) or play bingo during the summer).

Today, there was a fire at the Ocracoke Preservation Society museum which may (or may not) have been caused by the lightning. (The actual cause is, as of now, unknown.) My friend DeAnna was working in the museum when the fire started. Luckily, a group of Ocracokers nearby called 911 and yelled to her to get out of the building (which she quickly did, and she is fine). She told me that the fire department responders made every effort to protect the artifacts in the museum (the way she described it was "for every one person working to put out the fire, there were two working to move the artifacts out of the way to protect them"). The fire damage is limited, but water damage may be more of a problem. Hopefully the museum will get cleaned up in time for the planned reopening for the season in early March. If you ever had the inkling to support their efforts by making a donation, now would be a good time. You can learn more about OPS and the museum on their website.

Hope your Spring days are significantly less changeable and eventful than ours was on the island today, wherever you are...