home

1   2   3    next page ›

As Hurricane Earl swirled toward Cape Hatteras on Thursday, Oriental began seeing the effects. By late morning, the skies had closed in, with ridges of clouds like courderoy far in to the distance. Trawlers sought refuge at the docks of Oriental’s two fish houses. Beyond that, there was very little activity in the harbor. (Many sailboats were further up the creeks, in hurricane holes.)

Very little activity at the Town Dock as Earl approached, other than the water level rising. Here’s what it was like late Thursday morning.

Residents tucked away those items that would be floatable if — or is it when? — the high waters of Earl covered their yards. There was a lot of waiting for the hurricane that would come calling in the small hours of the morning. Photos would likely not be optimal then, but in the meantime, here are some shots from the day time Thursday.

Not a hurricane flag but somewhat related. Eric Kindle, owner of The Bean, fastened a flag holder to the coffeehouse’s side railing around midday Thursday. The flag, which will be visible from HarborCam, will let caffeine-seekers know when the Bean is open. (We’re counting on June to be there at her usual 6:30a, but the flag will let you know for sure.)

At Nautical Wheelers store at the Old Hotel, Patrick Richart shows one t-shirt that sold Thursday morning: a t-shirt with a simple message. It’s the first Oriental hurricane for his aunt, Camilla Wheeler, who says she spent a lot of time inside the store taking wares off the floor, just in case Earl’s waters flooded the building as they did in Hurricane Isabel.

Other storm-related clothing: “Pamlico Nikes” were still available above the frozen vegetables at Miss Ruth’s Town and Country grocery store Thursday afternoon.

At the newly cleared end of South Avenue — aka South Park — a bulldozer was still in place Thursday morning.

1   2   3    next page ›

Posted Thursday September 2, 2010 by Melinda Penkava

email this story | back to top