Stealthy Irene

Russ Lay | August 31, 2011

Bay Drive in Kill Devil Hills Wednesday. (Voice)

As Irene closed in on the Outer Banks, the national media began to lose interest as soon as the storm displayed signs of weakening. The Weather Channel shifted its focus to New York City and Long Island, where TWC star Jim Cantore and NBC anchor Brian Williams held court.

Regional media, mostly from Hampton Roads, also made their presence known. Announcers at Beach 104 radio had a field day poking fun at Hampton Roads television reporters Andy Fox and Mike Mather.

Fox’s appearance was so over-the-top, a video of one of his live reports is circulating on the web as he spoke of “going beyond perpendicular” and screaming that Nags Head’s new beach was “gone.”

Mather kept trying to get closer and closer to the surf zone for his spots, apparently unaware of the concept of rogue waves in a storm surge.

Both the national and regional television media missed the big story. We talked about flooding on the Voice and so did Beach 104. The chairman of Dare County’s Board of Commissioners, Warren Judge, announced the concern of soundside flooding early in the day during an interview on Beach 104.

Commentary

Listening to traffic over the county 800 MHZ emergency services system also revealed concern about flooding as soon as the sounds began to drain in Hatteras, Roanoke Island, Colington, KDH, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores and Duck.

Yet television news continued to keep their reporters along the oceanfront, trying to make something of the wind and waves while the real damage was being done on the other side of the island.

Thankfully, local media — news sites, radio stations and those people with Internet access — kept news, pictures and updates flowing as the water rose along our western shores.

If you drove Croatan Highway and the Beach Road on the sunny Sunday after the storm, you would have thought Irene came and went without even a whimper. The Beach Road suffered very little overwash from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head. The newly restored beach in Nags Head held the ocean back from places it usually breaches, and in the morning, it was still there and still wide.

Near Whalebone Junction, in Nags Head, pontoon boats and jet skis lined the bypass, pushed from the sound by rising waters. Along the Manteo-Nags Head causeway, damage was almost random. The deck and pier at Tail of Whale looked intact, yet a few hundred feet further, the pier at Fishing Unlimited had lost the end and was gently sloping into the sound.

Bay Drive area Wednesday. (Voice)

In Manteo, Darryl’s Seafood had chairs and tables piled up in the parking lot as they appeared to be cleaning up inside. McDonald’s, next door, looked untouched. Along Sir Walter Raleigh Street in downtown Manteo, a peek in the door of Manteo Bookseller’s revealed water that might have reached 3 feet. A small store next door, My Secret Garden looked as though the entire contents had been tossed by a group of vandals. The owner’s daughter said the water was chest high on Saturday night.

Neal Ferguson, an employee of the Full Moon Café and Brewery, said they had a “small lake” inside on the floor but little other damage. Poor Richard’s employees were also mopping floors in the bar area as it appeared water seeped from below.

Along Soundside Road in Nags Head, a historic cottage, one of the few left that were built over the sound, was destroyed. It had survived decades of prior storms. Folks in Colington said the flooding was the worst they had ever seen, and even late Sunday, Colington Road still held 2 feet of water in front of TJ’s Convenience store.

Hatteras Island is cut off once more, and “significant damage” from flooding has been reported from the sound sides of Duck and Corolla.

Inland, rural crops were inundated and power outages widespread. Given the isolation, it could be many days before power crews locate all of the downed lines along rural roads and fields.

The national and regional media made a short appearance in Manteo while I was there. But you can bet, they won’t be back to see how these folks put back together their lives and businesses, how the loss of tourism revenue will affect the entire beach, when Hatteras Island will re-open. Nor will they be around to monitor federal, state and even insurance entities and agencies to help ensure they do their job.

But we will. All of your local newspapers, news sites and radio stations. And so will our citizens, who demonstrated during Irene the power and value of social media and the Internet.

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See what people are saying:

Kathy Sparrow says:

I’m a marketing professional. I live in Manteo. If anyone thinks that social media isn’t important to communications, think again. I was in Raleigh and Facebook and Outer Banks Voice were the two main means of getting local information that I had. A friend posted on Facebook that entry was open to residents on Sunday-that made me decide to come home. Halfway home, I picked up Beach 104 & knew they’d have storm coverage on 24-7 because they did after Isabelle. I marvel at what was accomplished by local media and by social media in shaping the course of recovery and information after this storm. I’d say we taught ‘the big boys’ a thing or two.

on August 31, 2011 @ 1:59 pm

R says:

Thanks for keeping us accurately informed about Irene throughout the storm and aftermath! I know my family was grateful and got a good laugh at the expense of TWC and their idiocy. Thanks again and keep up the good work!

on August 31, 2011 @ 2:15 pm

Jeannie says:

You captured exactly what happened, excellent article. Thank you for your continued support and love of the OBX

on August 31, 2011 @ 2:20 pm

marlene says:

Manteo is open for business, Charlottes doing her trunk show in the courtyward at the Waterfront tom, Thursday, from 11 till 4pm. Dom Power started work on the electric meters at the Waterfront Condos at 10 am today. Most condos have had power but the exterior, walkway and courtyard lights and some of the retailers have been without FULL power. The elevator is still not in service as we are waiting for the elevator co. to check before putting back in operation. It’s been a mighty dark building at night.

Waterfront took 4 ft. of water, higher than seen since Hurr. Donna in 1960. The water ran from the east side all the way up to 64 and fortunately did NOT meet water from the western sound at Ace. Looks like the 2 sounds met from the Chesley Mall going south to about Skyco. All newer constrcution in last 15 years did VERY well. It’s the older lower structures that took a beating from the flood.

on August 31, 2011 @ 2:40 pm

Barbara Oczytko says:

Bravo!!!Glad someone put the national media in their place! I kept getting p…ed off when Fox News (Shep Smith) kept showing the road breach at Rodanthe and saying it was Kitty Hawk…In fact, I called Fox News and left a message…of course-did u think I would talk to Shep- told them it was Rodanthe and not Kitty Hawk…It is awesome to see how the OBX community is coming together to help each other out…not like the looting being reported in Vermont and New Jersey. I love OBX and was suppose to come down to Labrador’s Paradise 23391 Highway 12 Rodanthe, NC 8/27/11 …hoping on next year. Stayed at Wave’s Landing(’08,’09) and Luna Dunes in Frisco (’10). If anyone knows the status of these houses, would very much appreciate an update…they are like “home away from home” for us folks from Buffalo NY. Keep up the good work and updates. OBX is in my thoughts and prayers.

on August 31, 2011 @ 2:45 pm

Steve says:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If and when there is another evacuation due to any type of storm, the national media should be escorted off the island with instructions to not come back.

on August 31, 2011 @ 2:49 pm

Pat Walden says:

Thanks for all the great reporting. Love The Outer Banks Voice. I always tell people if you want to know what’s going out check out The Outer Banks Voice”. Also the local radio stations were fantastic too! BRAVO….Pat Walden

on August 31, 2011 @ 3:20 pm

jeff says:

People are complaning about cigret prices now wate till the harvest of this crop the filds along 64 were realy bad

on August 31, 2011 @ 3:21 pm

Teresa Bradshaw says:

I live in Colington Harbor. I won’t say more than that. Thank you for this article.

on August 31, 2011 @ 3:28 pm

Brynn Waite says:

The Voice did a fabulous job in keeping everyone updated. I always have your page up on my computer, but I checked it many times a day during this past week. Thanks for being there and being the most responsive local news outlet on the OBX!

on August 31, 2011 @ 4:06 pm

Nags Header says:

It confirms that small business reigns supreme over Government.
Try finding out any crucial info during these situations from the tax funded “official” bureaucracies.

Beach104 & it’s DJ’s were righteous throughout this hurricane!
…& so were all of us local facebookers.

on August 31, 2011 @ 4:17 pm

Elaine G says:

Is it possible for this article to get a “truth in reporting” prize or even a Pulitzer? Sam Walker and the rest of the DJ”s @ Beach 104 and the folks who make the OB Voice possible are just the best at what they do. I live in Waters Edge off Colington Rd and you all kept me calm and sane through the flood. Thanks so very much and keep it up!

on August 31, 2011 @ 4:53 pm

Truck says:

Good perspective. A couple of things I’ve learned over the years….1) whenever the Weather Channel lets their people ride out and report during a storm – its not going to be too bad. Imagine Al Roker getting washed out to sea during a big one – not good for their credibility…….and 2) Fox News coverage is always “over the top” as you say- just watch any of their “news” programming. I follow the NHC web site and get local info from my neighbor who’s ited in to the response units. National news is hype at a minimum.

on August 31, 2011 @ 5:05 pm

glock4me says:

Heading to Colington tomorrow for clean up and major repairs.

on August 31, 2011 @ 5:27 pm

Jimmy Woodson says:

Bravo!!!

on August 31, 2011 @ 5:48 pm

Michelle Wieczorek says:

Thanks for an insightful article. Facebook was a powerful tool to get “the real story” out to those of us that call OBX our home from afar. The realtors that have Facebook accounts were an especially good source of news and updates, and the pictures of what had gone on down there have painted a very different picture than the national media has, that’s for sure. As a twice a year visitor to both Hatteras and Corolla, I send my well wishes to the locals, the businesses and anyone effected by the hurricane, and hope for a speedy recovery!

on August 31, 2011 @ 6:09 pm

Gail says:

Our local radio stations as well as the Outer Banks Voice were the ones trying to look out for our community. Saturday night as I sat with my husband and children with 3 feet of water in my first floor, all we had to cling to were the voices on Beach 104 and the other callers telling their stories. It was literally the only thing that kept me sane. Thank you OBV and Beach 104, as usual, you rock!

on August 31, 2011 @ 6:14 pm

Gail says:

Also, I want to make a comment, just in case he gets an opportunity to see this post, to the vacationer who was in Wendy’s today (Wednesday, 8/31). When you come on vacation and spend your $s, it doesn’t give you the right to berate locals standing behind the counter waiting on you, most of whom are young people. You came in like an idiot complaining about your coupon being expired and yelled at the kid behind the counter, stating “this is bull*** and I will call the home office.” Really dude, how big a fool do you think the rest of us in the restaurant thought you were. We are here to provide for our families, not be bullied by the likes of you and my guess is that if it had been a grown up behind that counter, you wouldn’t have behaved so badly. You are nothing more than a bully sir and you should be ashamed!

on August 31, 2011 @ 6:17 pm

Allan 2 says:

Teresa:

I don’t know exactly what to make of your comment. I trust there was extensive flooding and accordingly any ground level property was flooded. What about wind damage? My former residence was on Harbour View near King Wm Ct. On the high side of the road. No flooding concern but the wind always shook the daylights out of the place. The unending wind and shaking really wears you out mentally. Best to you and all my former neighbors. BTW, like the new web cam. It was up during most of the storm and even though the views are distant, it do not appear to show a lot of wind damage.

on August 31, 2011 @ 6:19 pm

Julia Scheer says:

Wonderful article on what really happened here. The real info came from locals, Beach 104, OB Voice & Oregon Inlet Idoits on Facebook did a fantastic job. It’s a shame that the so-called professional journalist can miss a huge story. All the people that I have spoken to agree that TWC needs to learn how to ‘report’ and not ‘hype’ the weather. I guess that’s why Jim Cantore, Mr. Doom & Gloom, won’t come down here anymore, us locals don’t mind telling him to shut up!

on August 31, 2011 @ 8:16 pm

Alice Ann Hengesbach says:

@The Outer Banks Voice…thank you for reasoned and accurate reporting. @Beach 104…thank you for providing a 24/7 forum for our entire community. We have always taken care of ourselves…it may take more time than we like this time around but we will get it together. P. S. Have you seen a more beautiful day than this one?

on August 31, 2011 @ 8:50 pm

Beth Fiedler says:

Great piece! You got it exactly right. I emailed it to family and friends who live elsewhere and just don’t get it. I also told them NOT to watch TWC!

Keep up the great job you do!

on August 31, 2011 @ 9:23 pm

Brian says:

Was talking to our former next door neighbor who watched the coverage from afar. The coverage was so stupid she turned it off and checked in via text, phone and Facebook. Having been sound-side (literally in it) on Saturday night/Sunday morning and returning that afternoon following property checks I was pleasantly shocked by our good fortune then troubled by how the coverage had totally screwed up the understanding of the type and scope of the damage.
The quest for ratings wouldn’t be of much concern except for the fact that the people who accept that reporting at face value are typically more preoccupied with American Idol, The Kardashians, Jersey Shore, etc. and they vote for those who hold our purse strings. The sooner this ratings propaganda can be shown for the object of scorn both it and its viewers deserve the better we’ll all be.
I guess we’ll have to wait for a metaphorical flood to wash that sewage out but like the real one brought on by Irene it won’t be without consequence to the rest of us.

on August 31, 2011 @ 10:50 pm

Tom says:

Your coverage of Irene has been great and informative. I’m from Wisconsin and I do see that the coverage at the end of Irene and lately has been on New York, New Jersey and Vermont of all places (no offense).

No mention at ALL of the issues of 1,000′s of people basically stranded on Hatteras Island and having to take ferrys from 2-1/2 to 3 hours each way! Also I noticed no coverage of the soundside flooding either which was incredible when looking at the photos online.

I guess the fine folks of NC are not important enough for national coverage during the aftermath. That is sad and disrespectful.

on August 31, 2011 @ 11:33 pm

charlie says:

We’ve got relatives and friends from here to the Canadian border. All agree that the Big news outlets work only on hype not facts. It’s the local media who get things right and give us the info we need. Sadly I am writing about how they do the weather but it also applies to all their blather nowadays.

Good work and thank you to all local media.

on September 1, 2011 @ 5:33 am

Selena K says:

I’ve never often listened to Beach 104 because Top-40 is not my “bag,” but I don’t think I can live without them now! If a song comes on that I don’t like, I’ll just turn down the volume until it passes.

on September 1, 2011 @ 3:02 pm

Paul Gustavson says:

While I had power here in MD, I got ALL of my information about the storm from Outer Banks Voice, Island Free Press, StormPulse.com, and the Facebook pages “Hatteras Island, Inc.”, “Oregon Island Idiots”, “Hatteras Island vs. Hurricane Irene”. Absolutely fantastic coverage and up-to-date, accurate information. All should be commended for a job well done. The major news outlets were fairly non-relevant very early on.

on September 1, 2011 @ 10:52 pm

JW says:

Now they are agruing about who is going to pay for the removable of all the debris! With everyones terrible losses I bet you that the sorry bunch of county commisioners that we have will still demand the $1600+ for the damn waterlines that we don`t want in Wanchese!!!!I`m sure that we all have $1600+ in pocket change just laying around! My $1600 will be going into my home NOT to the county!!

on September 4, 2011 @ 12:13 pm

Lana says:

Speaking of hype, did anyone see the headlines on Fox (I think it was Bill Hemmer) saying “Dare County orders more body bags for Cape Hatteras” or was I dreaming?
Great job 104-you were our lifeline here on Hatteras!!!

on September 4, 2011 @ 2:56 pm

beach lady says:

Thanks to the Voice and 104! I kept telling my son in PA to turn OFF TWC! That station had him in an absolute panic. We evacuated safely but that was not enough to calm his nerves. I kept telling him that our local people take care of us and THAT is who we listen to! Thanks again.

on September 4, 2011 @ 7:47 pm

Kim Smart says:

The national media may have missed the bigger story, but my family, who has loved and enjoyed the “Outer Banks” for years, tried really hard to be perfect guests during this past week. We arrived on Tuesday, quickly settled in to our rental, and headed to the beach to say a prayer of thanks that the beauty of the area was still very much intact. Over the past 20 years, we have loved every inch of your community, and the locals always made us feel welcome. My family will continue coming back and even though the “national media” did not get your story right, my family appreciated every day we were there. We saw hardworking and determined men and women, rebuilding their homes, businesses, and communities. From Virginia, we wish you the best and a speedy recovery!

on September 5, 2011 @ 2:39 pm

Pam Thomas says:

Thank you for all the coverage you did during,after and continue to do concerning Irene. As an out of area property owner I appreciate all your hard work and telling the real story. I have been taken in so many times with the over-the-top coverage of CNN, The Weather Channel and Fox but no more!! I will from now on go to the true source when I need the REAL story about what is going on with the Outer Banks. Thank you again

on September 6, 2011 @ 8:08 pm

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