I have often said that I wouldn't want to go be on a "reality" TV show because being away from access to information would drive me batty. Although, on the other hand, I think my sister and I would have a blast on the Amazing Race, and I wouldn't mind going on Survivor but only if it was guaranteed to be in an area with good snorkeling and I could be voted out first, so I could snorkel for the next month or so. But I digress. What I was trying to say was that I need to be able to ask my favorite know it all guys (Mr. Google and Mr. Wikipedia) whatever question I think of, when I think of it. I also like being able to check the radar (especially during the kind of weather we have been having around here recently).
So this morning, when the power was out for several hours, what bothered me the most was not the humidity in my house (although I was pleased when the power - read: the AC - came back on), and it wasn't that poor Connor was stuck inside, bored and sick of the rain (I was, too, and there are certainly worse things in life). No, what bothered me the most was that I couldn't log on to the internet and find out what was happening, what the radar looked like, even what my friends were posting on Facebook about the storm (some of my friends have generators, others use their cell phones to post, so they are still connected even when the power is out, a fact which makes me jealous).
But here's the funny thing. When the power did come back on, I didn't immediately jump on the internet. I did several other things, and it was at least an hour later before I got onto the information super highway. It wasn't that I didn't want to. It was just that, once the power was back on, I took for granted that it would stay on, so I didn't feel a particular sense of urgency to hurry up and do the things that required power while I could. (As it turned out, I was mostly right - the power stayed on for several hours before going out again for about an hour later in the afternoon.) Anyway, it was an interesting object lesson for me - too often in life, we do take for granted the things that are "always" there, in the background. I know I, for one, don't take enough time to be thankful for those types of things. Hmmm. Something to think about, and possibly to change.
The island is faring well so far during this storm. There's the usual flooding in the standard areas where it's expected, but no major issues that I've heard about. I haven't seen anyone kayaking down my street, so it's not as bad as that nor'easter last November. (Or at least not yet, anyway.)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Ferry update
SOME FERRY ROUTES ARE SUSPENDED DUE TO TROPICAL STORM
High winds affecting safe crossing of waterways
MANNS HARBOR — The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division has suspended ferry operations at Ocracoke, Swan Quarter, Cedar Island, Hatteras and Pamlico River routes. Southport-Fort Fisher and Currituck-Knotts Island routes are currently operating normally. Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach route is running only one boat for a half schedule.
Operations will return to normal as soon as it is deemed safe by the U.S. Coast Guard to cross the rivers and sounds safely.
For up-to-date information, call 1-800-293-3779 (BY-FERRY) and Press 1, or go to www.ncferry.org.
High winds affecting safe crossing of waterways
MANNS HARBOR — The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division has suspended ferry operations at Ocracoke, Swan Quarter, Cedar Island, Hatteras and Pamlico River routes. Southport-Fort Fisher and Currituck-Knotts Island routes are currently operating normally. Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach route is running only one boat for a half schedule.
Operations will return to normal as soon as it is deemed safe by the U.S. Coast Guard to cross the rivers and sounds safely.
For up-to-date information, call 1-800-293-3779 (BY-FERRY) and Press 1, or go to www.ncferry.org.
Press release 4 - 9/30 at 10 AM
Public Advisory
Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 10 AM
Event: Tropical Storm/Depression Nicole
Media Contact: Jane Hodges, jhodges@hydecountync.gov
The National Weather Service continues to monitor eastern North Carolina. An additional
3-6" of heavy rain is expected throughout the day across Hyde County. There is a tornado watch issued until 1 PM and a coastal flood warning until 1:45 PM today.
There are reported secondary road flooding in Hyde County. Please use extreme caution
in these areas. Do not drive through areas with standing water. Dare County reports rain water accumulation along NC 12 on Hatteras Island especially about three miles south of bridge.
The main threat of oceanside flooding will be south of Cape Hatteras around the times of
high tide around noon today.
Winds are recorded at sustained 25-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Secure loose items
in your yard and businesses to prevent further damage.
All Hyde County Schools are closed today.
All Hyde County Government offices are open today.
Please make yourselves aware of the state ferry system's schedule and road conditions
before making travel plans during this time and after the storm has passed.
As seen in the past, hurricanes and tropical storms are unpredictable and can change with
little notice. Residents and visitors need to remain vigilant and not let your guard down.
Hyde County Emergency Services continues to review the latest weather forecasts, is
coordinating with the State and nearby counties, and advising citizens on possible actions to protect themselves and their property. Further updates will be issued as warranted.
Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 10 AM
Event: Tropical Storm/Depression Nicole
Media Contact: Jane Hodges, jhodges@hydecountync.gov
The National Weather Service continues to monitor eastern North Carolina. An additional
3-6" of heavy rain is expected throughout the day across Hyde County. There is a tornado watch issued until 1 PM and a coastal flood warning until 1:45 PM today.
There are reported secondary road flooding in Hyde County. Please use extreme caution
in these areas. Do not drive through areas with standing water. Dare County reports rain water accumulation along NC 12 on Hatteras Island especially about three miles south of bridge.
The main threat of oceanside flooding will be south of Cape Hatteras around the times of
high tide around noon today.
Winds are recorded at sustained 25-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Secure loose items
in your yard and businesses to prevent further damage.
All Hyde County Schools are closed today.
All Hyde County Government offices are open today.
Please make yourselves aware of the state ferry system's schedule and road conditions
before making travel plans during this time and after the storm has passed.
As seen in the past, hurricanes and tropical storms are unpredictable and can change with
little notice. Residents and visitors need to remain vigilant and not let your guard down.
Hyde County Emergency Services continues to review the latest weather forecasts, is
coordinating with the State and nearby counties, and advising citizens on possible actions to protect themselves and their property. Further updates will be issued as warranted.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Press release 3 - State of Emergency - 9/29 at 5:30 PM
State of Emergency
Tropical Storm Nicole
Proclamation State of Emergency for Hyde County
Pursuant to Hyde County Ordinances, Chapter 166 A of the General Statutes and Article 36 A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, I have determined a State of Emergency exists in Hyde County.
I therefore proclaim the existence of a State of Emergency in the County of Hyde effective as of 12:01 a.m. on September 29, 2010.
I hereby direct all county law enforcement officers, county employees, public safety personnel, and all emergency management personnel, subject to my control, to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the emergency as may be necessary or convenient.
I specifically authorize and direct all applicable department heads and their employees to take such steps and to make such applications as may be necessary, useful, or convenient to mitigate the effects of crop and other damage to Hyde County and its residents and persons who work in or who are located in Hyde County arising out of Tropical Depression 16/Tropical Storm Nicole and its related weather system.
This declaration is limited to the matters herein expressly stated. It shall not limit the sale of alcohol or possession of firearms.
This proclamation is effective immediately. Proclaimed this the 29th day of September 2010.
Tom Davis, Chairman of Hyde County Board of Commissioners
Tropical Storm Nicole
Proclamation State of Emergency for Hyde County
Pursuant to Hyde County Ordinances, Chapter 166 A of the General Statutes and Article 36 A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, I have determined a State of Emergency exists in Hyde County.
I therefore proclaim the existence of a State of Emergency in the County of Hyde effective as of 12:01 a.m. on September 29, 2010.
I hereby direct all county law enforcement officers, county employees, public safety personnel, and all emergency management personnel, subject to my control, to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the emergency as may be necessary or convenient.
I specifically authorize and direct all applicable department heads and their employees to take such steps and to make such applications as may be necessary, useful, or convenient to mitigate the effects of crop and other damage to Hyde County and its residents and persons who work in or who are located in Hyde County arising out of Tropical Depression 16/Tropical Storm Nicole and its related weather system.
This declaration is limited to the matters herein expressly stated. It shall not limit the sale of alcohol or possession of firearms.
This proclamation is effective immediately. Proclaimed this the 29th day of September 2010.
Tom Davis, Chairman of Hyde County Board of Commissioners
Press release 2 - 9/29 at 3:53 PM
PRESS RELEASE
September 29, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jane Hodges
Hyde County, North Carolina
School Delay
High Surf/RIP CurrentsCoastal Flood Advisory
According to Emergency Manager Lindsey Mooney
ALL Hyde County Schools will have a 2 hour delay tomorrow morning.
Advisories regarding Friday School openings will be given to the media
for distribution. Please listen to your local TV stations for further
updates.
Coastal Hazard
A coastal flood advisory has been issued by the National Weather
Service and is in effect until 8:00 PM tonight until 8:00 PM Thursday
night.
Flood Watch
A coastal flood watch remains in effect through late Thursday night.
Periods of heavy rainfall are expected through the night and into
tomorrow with the potential for 4 to 8 inches of rain through early
Friday morning. Some isolated spots may pick up as much as 10 inches.
High Surf Advisory
A high surf advisory is in effect from 8:00 PM tonight until 8:00 am
Friday morning.
Increasing southeast winds and residual southeast swell will produce a
high risk for RIP currents along area beaches through Thursday. The
dangerous RIP currents are expected a couple of hours either side of
low tide which will be around 6:00 PM this evening.
The period of strong winds may produce water levels 2 to 3 feet above
normal. This will result in ocean overwash and beach erosion.
The main threat of oceanside flooding will be south of Cape Hatteras
around the times of high tide which will be around midnight tonight
and noon on Thursday.
The strong winds will also produce rapidly building seas with heights
of 7 to 10 feet by late tonight, peaking at 14 to 19 feet on Thursday.
The large seas will result in hazardous surf zone conditions
beginning tonight and continuing through Thursday night.
September 29, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jane Hodges
Hyde County, North Carolina
School Delay
High Surf/RIP CurrentsCoastal Flood Advisory
According to Emergency Manager Lindsey Mooney
ALL Hyde County Schools will have a 2 hour delay tomorrow morning.
Advisories regarding Friday School openings will be given to the media
for distribution. Please listen to your local TV stations for further
updates.
Coastal Hazard
A coastal flood advisory has been issued by the National Weather
Service and is in effect until 8:00 PM tonight until 8:00 PM Thursday
night.
Flood Watch
A coastal flood watch remains in effect through late Thursday night.
Periods of heavy rainfall are expected through the night and into
tomorrow with the potential for 4 to 8 inches of rain through early
Friday morning. Some isolated spots may pick up as much as 10 inches.
High Surf Advisory
A high surf advisory is in effect from 8:00 PM tonight until 8:00 am
Friday morning.
Increasing southeast winds and residual southeast swell will produce a
high risk for RIP currents along area beaches through Thursday. The
dangerous RIP currents are expected a couple of hours either side of
low tide which will be around 6:00 PM this evening.
The period of strong winds may produce water levels 2 to 3 feet above
normal. This will result in ocean overwash and beach erosion.
The main threat of oceanside flooding will be south of Cape Hatteras
around the times of high tide which will be around midnight tonight
and noon on Thursday.
The strong winds will also produce rapidly building seas with heights
of 7 to 10 feet by late tonight, peaking at 14 to 19 feet on Thursday.
The large seas will result in hazardous surf zone conditions
beginning tonight and continuing through Thursday night.
1st grade pirate party
As I've mentioned before, I read to the first grade class once a week (most weeks, anyway). This year, the first couple of books I took to read to them were "How I Became a Pirate" and "Pirates Don't Change Diapers" by Melinda Long and David Shannon, which are both hilarious. When I arrived with those particular books, it was quite fitting (and the kids were quite amazed at the coincidence): Leslie had read them "A Pirate's Guide to First Grade" by James Preller and Greg Ruth (which is also hilarious), and one of the kids had brought a pirate book for show and tell. Mary Ellen decided the year was off to such a good pirate start that we should throw a pirate party. So throw a pirate party we did.
The kids wore their best pirate costumes.
There was lots of laughter. (I love this picture of Mary Ellen! I think I just really like pictures of people laughing! They look so relaxed and natural.)
Jackson was very much into the pirate thing, posing and saying "Aaarrggh" every time I pointed the camera at him.
Captain Rob was on hand to tell pirate tales...
...and play some pirate tunes with Fiddler Dave.
Then Dave read the kids yet another great pirate book (of which I cannot remember the name).
Brandt pulling his best pirate face.
Leslie served delicious pirate fare: bleeding grog (aka Sprite with fruit punch ice cubes), and dead man's fingers (aka pepperoni).
And then she shared the treasure: chocolate gold coins, skull rings, and skeleton bracelets.
Mary Ellen and Lou Ann looked fantastic in their pirate garb. A big thanks goes to Teach's Hole Blackbeard Exhibit and Pirate Specialty Shop for loaning the costumes.
It was a really fun way to spend an hour on a Friday morning. Aye, that it was.
The kids wore their best pirate costumes.
There was lots of laughter. (I love this picture of Mary Ellen! I think I just really like pictures of people laughing! They look so relaxed and natural.)
Jackson was very much into the pirate thing, posing and saying "Aaarrggh" every time I pointed the camera at him.
Captain Rob was on hand to tell pirate tales...
...and play some pirate tunes with Fiddler Dave.
Then Dave read the kids yet another great pirate book (of which I cannot remember the name).
Brandt pulling his best pirate face.
Leslie served delicious pirate fare: bleeding grog (aka Sprite with fruit punch ice cubes), and dead man's fingers (aka pepperoni).
And then she shared the treasure: chocolate gold coins, skull rings, and skeleton bracelets.
Mary Ellen and Lou Ann looked fantastic in their pirate garb. A big thanks goes to Teach's Hole Blackbeard Exhibit and Pirate Specialty Shop for loaning the costumes.
It was a really fun way to spend an hour on a Friday morning. Aye, that it was.
Press release 1 - 9/29 at 1:50 PM
Strong Winds Advisory
Wind Advisory is in effect until 8:00 p.m. Thursday.
Low Pressure is expected to develop south of the area and move inland late tonight and Thursday. Followed by remnants of Tropical Depression 16 on Thursday.
Southeast winds are expected to increase to 25 to 35 mph later tonight and become southerly Thursday.
Wind gusts to over 40 mph will be possible.
The greatest threat of higher winds will be along the Outer Banks, over Mainland Hyde adjacent to the Pamlico Sound.
A Wind Advisory means that winds of 31 to 39 mph with higher gusts expected.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult...especially for high profile vehicles.
Use extra caution.
Wind Advisory is in effect until 8:00 p.m. Thursday.
Low Pressure is expected to develop south of the area and move inland late tonight and Thursday. Followed by remnants of Tropical Depression 16 on Thursday.
Southeast winds are expected to increase to 25 to 35 mph later tonight and become southerly Thursday.
Wind gusts to over 40 mph will be possible.
The greatest threat of higher winds will be along the Outer Banks, over Mainland Hyde adjacent to the Pamlico Sound.
A Wind Advisory means that winds of 31 to 39 mph with higher gusts expected.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult...especially for high profile vehicles.
Use extra caution.
Here comes Nicole...
Okay, I did a terrible (read: nonexistent) job of updating the blog about Hurricane Earl. (I had about 47 things going on at the same time, including trying to buy a car, evacuate, and take a trip to Colorado...so that's my excuse.) I'm going to try to do a better job of keeping you posted about Tropical Storm Nicole, since I know that non-local readers like to know what's going on around here when weather threatens. Which it seems to be doing quite a lot this year all of a sudden.
It has been raining here on and off since Monday. That rain wasn't related to Nicole, obviously, since the storm is pretty far away, but because of the rain, things are already saturated and there's the standard flooding in the lower spots. More rain is expected overnight tonight (still not Nicole), plus potentially high winds. And then Nicole is still coming after that! It's probably going to be pretty soggy around here. I'll post the announcements as I see them in my email, starting with the first few from today.
Hope all is well with you, wherever you are!
It has been raining here on and off since Monday. That rain wasn't related to Nicole, obviously, since the storm is pretty far away, but because of the rain, things are already saturated and there's the standard flooding in the lower spots. More rain is expected overnight tonight (still not Nicole), plus potentially high winds. And then Nicole is still coming after that! It's probably going to be pretty soggy around here. I'll post the announcements as I see them in my email, starting with the first few from today.
Hope all is well with you, wherever you are!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Welcome potluck
There was a potluck a few nights ago, to welcome several new people to the community:
- Gail Covington (who has actually been here for a while but hadn't been officially welcomed yet) is one of the health care providers at the Health Center.
The guy in the photo is Frank Brown, treasurer of Ocracoke Civic and Business Association, who read an introduction of each person, except for one, who introduced herself (because her written intro got lost in cyber space and never made it to Frank's inbox):
- Dr. Erin Baker is the new doctor recently hired at the Health Center.
- Rev. Laura Stern is the new pastor at Ocracoke United Methodist Church.
- Walt Padgett is the new principal of Ocracoke School. He couldn't attend the potluck, but was there in spirit!
One of my favorite things about this particular potluck was the decorations: welcome signs, hand made by kids of all ages, were on each table and on the walls.
My other favorite thing about this potluck was the desserts!
- Gail Covington (who has actually been here for a while but hadn't been officially welcomed yet) is one of the health care providers at the Health Center.
The guy in the photo is Frank Brown, treasurer of Ocracoke Civic and Business Association, who read an introduction of each person, except for one, who introduced herself (because her written intro got lost in cyber space and never made it to Frank's inbox):
- Dr. Erin Baker is the new doctor recently hired at the Health Center.
- Rev. Laura Stern is the new pastor at Ocracoke United Methodist Church.
- Walt Padgett is the new principal of Ocracoke School. He couldn't attend the potluck, but was there in spirit!
One of my favorite things about this particular potluck was the decorations: welcome signs, hand made by kids of all ages, were on each table and on the walls.
My other favorite thing about this potluck was the desserts!
My sister is getting married!
I am so excited to be part of helping my sister plan her wedding, which will be here on the island. We (my sister, my mom, one of my sister's best friends (who will be a bridesmaid), two of her other friends, and I) went with her to pick a wedding dress while we were visiting in Colorado Springs for Labor Day weekend.
She'll be getting married on Sunday June 5, 2011. She will, I promise, look absolutely stunningly gorgeous in the dress she picked. Which is NOT one of the ones pictured below...thank goodness. (Fair warning: I am pretty cynical about things like the multibillion dollar wedding industry, and I honestly think that keeping up with what's in fashion is completely irrelevant, so I will be making fun of these dresses in this blog. It's not that I don't think a girl should have the wedding of her dreams - she absolutely should, and I LOVE wedding planning more than I love most other things in life - I just think women should be sure to get what they want, not what the industry tells them is "in style" or something they simply "must have" because everyone this year has one...)
Okay, so that said, bring on the dresses!
Cleopatra...
...with a cape!
This one actually isn't too bad. And that IS the veil she'll be wearing, so don't look too closely at it!
Wrapped in a sheet...
...with an unfortunately placed bit of beading. Seriously? Just above the bride's rear end? Whose idea WAS that?
Flowery boobs. I tried to keep my face neutral as Jocelyn emerged from the dressing room in each gown, not wanting to influence her choice (I seriously would have supported her and loved her in whatever she chose, even if I thought it was hideous - everyone has their own taste, and it's her wedding not mine). But I failed with this one - she could tell right away that I hated it. It might not have been so bad if there had been flowers elsewhere on the dress, too, but those were the only ones. Right across the boobs. Yikes.
Not bad, except for the embellishment which looks like an arrow. Pointing to? Do NOT leave a comment answering that question, LOL.
We didn't like the lace on this one, but I adore this picture of my sister!
More sheet wrapping. That's apparently "in style" this year.
We actually liked this one fairly well...just didn't like the way the lace pattern petered out down the skirt...looked like the flowers fell off!
This one we also liked, it just wasn't quite as fantastically gorgeous as the one she chose. The clips are because they didn't have one in her size to try on...although funnily enough they are close to the color of the bridesmaid's dresses (which we also chose while in the store...it was an epic 4 hour process, and we were there until they closed).
I will post many, many pictures of the actual dress - but not until after June 5, 2011!!
She'll be getting married on Sunday June 5, 2011. She will, I promise, look absolutely stunningly gorgeous in the dress she picked. Which is NOT one of the ones pictured below...thank goodness. (Fair warning: I am pretty cynical about things like the multibillion dollar wedding industry, and I honestly think that keeping up with what's in fashion is completely irrelevant, so I will be making fun of these dresses in this blog. It's not that I don't think a girl should have the wedding of her dreams - she absolutely should, and I LOVE wedding planning more than I love most other things in life - I just think women should be sure to get what they want, not what the industry tells them is "in style" or something they simply "must have" because everyone this year has one...)
Okay, so that said, bring on the dresses!
Cleopatra...
...with a cape!
This one actually isn't too bad. And that IS the veil she'll be wearing, so don't look too closely at it!
Wrapped in a sheet...
...with an unfortunately placed bit of beading. Seriously? Just above the bride's rear end? Whose idea WAS that?
Flowery boobs. I tried to keep my face neutral as Jocelyn emerged from the dressing room in each gown, not wanting to influence her choice (I seriously would have supported her and loved her in whatever she chose, even if I thought it was hideous - everyone has their own taste, and it's her wedding not mine). But I failed with this one - she could tell right away that I hated it. It might not have been so bad if there had been flowers elsewhere on the dress, too, but those were the only ones. Right across the boobs. Yikes.
Not bad, except for the embellishment which looks like an arrow. Pointing to? Do NOT leave a comment answering that question, LOL.
We didn't like the lace on this one, but I adore this picture of my sister!
More sheet wrapping. That's apparently "in style" this year.
We actually liked this one fairly well...just didn't like the way the lace pattern petered out down the skirt...looked like the flowers fell off!
This one we also liked, it just wasn't quite as fantastically gorgeous as the one she chose. The clips are because they didn't have one in her size to try on...although funnily enough they are close to the color of the bridesmaid's dresses (which we also chose while in the store...it was an epic 4 hour process, and we were there until they closed).
I will post many, many pictures of the actual dress - but not until after June 5, 2011!!
August birthdays potluck
We hosted the annual August birthdays potluck at our house recently, and it was fun as usual, although a bit bittersweet this year.
I love when a bunch of friends is sitting in my living room, enjoying wine, food, and each others' company.
I lit 6 candles on the cake: one each for me, James, Lachlan, Philip, Ellice (who wasn't at the party), and our beloved and deeply missed Charlotte.
There was, of course, singing, and blowing out of candles...
And then we ate cake!
I love when a bunch of friends is sitting in my living room, enjoying wine, food, and each others' company.
I lit 6 candles on the cake: one each for me, James, Lachlan, Philip, Ellice (who wasn't at the party), and our beloved and deeply missed Charlotte.
There was, of course, singing, and blowing out of candles...
And then we ate cake!
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