Earl: Obviously there was a lot of buildup ahead of Earl and we were all watching it carefully since it was a category IV storm that was looking to make a very close brush with our little island. Wednesday morning September 1st a mandatory evacuation was posted for Ocracoke Island and visitors on Hatteras Island - the gas stations were backed up, there were a lot of cars moving around and it was an absolutely gorgeous day - so hard to ask the visitors to pack up and leave. Anyway as I said in my last post Laura and I went to VA Beach - on Friday morning we got up and had some breakfast and took a look at the surf in VA Beach (unimpressive actually) then got packed up and started heading back to Hatteras knowing that the road wasn't yet open for re-entry to the island. We arrived at the Bonner Bridge (Oregon Inlet) at about 3:30pm and were told that the Department of Transportation was going to make a decision at 4:00pm as to when the road would be open. So we sat in the car until about 4:20 until the announcement was made that the road would be open at 7am the following morning. Fortunately we were up front in the line so we got the announcement first and there were a lot of cars lined up behind us so we were able to get turned around and headed North without having any traffic ahead of us. We went to Manteo and got a room at the Tranquil House - a gorgeous place on the waterfront in Manteo. We met up with some friends Brannon & Sally Helms that live there had some food and drinks and just had a great evening. Saturday morning we got up early and made the drive back to Avon. Normally this drive takes right at an hour but it took us the better part of 2 hours because of slow moving traffic through standing water on Hwy 12. We were happy to find no damage to our homes or to the shop so Laura sped off to work as did I. I got the boards off the windows and the kayak rack set back up - made some sales in the shop then closed up at around 4 and went for a surf. I was really lucky because the spot I chose to surf there were only 4 other guys out and all people that I know and the waves were beautiful. Still overhead sets and as clean and glassy as you see and mind surf and daydream over in magazines. Sunday morning I got up early and headed back to the same spot and surfed with only 1 other guy out but significantly smaller - the biggest wave I caught was maybe chest high but there were still some pretty clean lined up waves and it was worth the paddle out. I was in the shop at about 11 and got the roof sign put back up as it was the only task I hadn't taken care of on Saturday. Since then there's been basically no surf at all and I have been doing busy work and cleaning up my yard etc so I didn't get around to writing and now all of a sudden the Atlantic Ocean is alive with storms again.
Hurricane Igor (doesn't THAT sound ominous!!!??!!) as of right now is a category IV storm and projected to remain so for the next 5 days. The current forecast models are showing that the storm is supposed to continue Westward then make a turn to the North and cross in the area of Bermuda and stay off the coast of the US. I hope that is indeed the case because that will send us waves but keep us out of harms way for the damaging wind that comes with hurricanes. Especially good news because Laura's entire family, including her sister and brother-in-law from Alaska, are coming into town to celebrate her father's birthday. Igor, please, stay off shore and don't mess up the party!!
Igor's 5 day forecast
Igor visible satellite image
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