As a result of Hurricane Irene, there was severe damage to part of Hatteras Island, North Carolina.
The only highway down that narrow strip of land is Route 12. A one half mile stretch of the highway in the village of Rodanthe was destroyed and now there are several places where homes are now on new little islands. In addition there is at least one new inlet that cuts completely across the island, from the ocean to the sound.
The state has also set up an emergency ferry boat system from mainland North Carolina to this part of Hatteras Island. The people who live there need our prayers. They are tough people who have endured things like this before in other storms.
Here is a link to a video that shows the hurricane’s effects on the island. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gkhMAk1W1Y
Plus the story in the Norfolk Newspaper. http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/hatteras-weighs-damage-shifts-emergency-mode
Hmm, makes me question the wisdom of building on a barrier island to begin with. It seems like hurricanes (e.g., Irene, Katrina) have a way of reminding us that we can build pretty things on the coast until . . .
So true. Risk, beautiful location, potential to make money, and natural disasters. Mix those ingredients together and this is what you get…