Tag Archives: Hurricane Irene

09/6/12

SURF OR SOUND REALTY CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A DROP-OFF LOCATION FOR ISLAND FOOD PANTRIES

More than a year after Hurricane Irene ripped through the villages of Hatteras Island, two local food pantries are still managing to successfully meet the demand of the island and surrounding areas. Both local food pantries are in continual need of supplies and donations in order to maintain this level of support throughout the winter months. Surf or Sound Realty offices in Avon and Salvo continue to serve as year-round drop-off locations for both the Lifeboat Community Food Pantry in Salvo and the Hatteras Island Food Pantry in Buxton. Vacationing guests are asked to donate any unopened, nonperishable food items or unused supplies upon checking out of their rental homes.

Steven M. Simmons, Pastor of Lifeboat Community Church, mentions that families come from all over to stock up on needed supplies. “We currently serve over 400 families,” he says. LCCFP is in need of nonperishable food items such as canned goods, cereal, and peanut butter. Food items that do not have to be prepared are in high demand due to the fact that many people are still without a means to cook. There is also a need for supplies such as toiletries, toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. “This is as empty as our cupboards have been,” states Pastor Simmons.

Vacation Specialist for Surf or Sound Realty, Peggy Gray, commented that donations are continuing to be made at a steady rate. “About one third of the guests donate items when checking-out each week.” Donations range from a few canned goods to two or three bags full of items and supplies, per family group. A.J. Baker, Maintenance Technician for Surf or Sound Realty, estimates that around 30-40 lbs. of items are donated each week by guests checking out of Surf or Sound’s Salvo office.

Hatteras Island Food Pantry in Buxton, run by the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men, also serves the residents of all 7 villages and accepts donations on a continual basis.

Residents in the community and visitors are encouraged to drop-off donated items for the upcoming Thanksgiving Food Drive at either our Salvo or Avon office locations.

Monetary donations for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry can be made payable by check to United Methodist Men and mailed to Hatteras Island Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920. Monetary donations for Lifeboat Community Church can be dropped off at 27563 Highway 12 in Salvo, or by mailing checks to Lifeboat Community Church, P.O. Box 84, Salvo, NC 27972.

12/12/11

The Hatteras Village Christmas Parade Was Filled With Holiday Spirit and Cheer

The annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade is always filled with holiday spirit and cheer, but this year, in spite of the very chilly weather, that spirit and cheer was more abundant than ever and felt by all that attended the event, which was the biggest to date!

When Hurricane Irene ripped through the island three-and-a-half months ago, many residents’ lives were interrupted and displaced. You couldn’t tell by looking at the happy and cheery faces of those that attended and participated in this year’s parade. The people of Hatteras Island are resilient, and the tight knit community became even closer after the events of the natural disaster.

The parade began at Teach’s Lair Marina at 2 p.m. The parade route continued through the village and ended at the Hatterasman Drive-In. There were fun floats, horses, bikes, fire trucks, marching bands, and, of course, Santa! After the parade, everyone was invited to the Civic Center for home-baked cookies and hot chocolate and to hear the announcement of the winning floats.

This year’s winners were:

Brownie Troop 1660 – Most Comical. ($250)
Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation – Most Creative ($250)
Creative Ballance (Dune Billy’s)- Most Comical ($250) The “Dune Billy’s” donated their winning to the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation.
CHS Senior Class ($50)- Kids 1
CHS Sophomore Class ($50) Kids 2

From all of us at Surf or Sound Realty, we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

(The Hatteras Village Civic Association sponsors the annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade, held this year on Sunday, Dec. 11, in Hatteras village.)

11/2/11

Helping Hatteras Island for the Holidays

As Hatteras Island still recovers from the lasting effects of Hurricane Irene, this holiday season will be especially difficult for many local residents. Surf or Sound Realty has received numerous inquiries and questions as to how our friends and neighbors can help in this time of need.

We have compiled a list below of the many Outer Banks organizations that are preparing meals, collecting Christmas items, coats, clothing, toys and monetary donations to ensure that this holiday season is still memorable and special for the children and families on Hatteras Island.

We are grateful for the assistance from these organizations and charities and humbled by the outpouring of support from our vacation guests, homeowners and friends both near and far.

Angel Tree
Christmas is organized through a coalition of churches, businesses and individuals who work to provide Christmas to all children in need on Hatteras Island. The coalition collaborates with Toy for Tots and Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) “Operation Santa Claus” programs. Sponsored children receive clothing and gift items. Dare County Department of Social Services assists in receiving applications and facilitating various donors.

Sponsorship Specific Requests: Individual children and families can be sponsored. Contact Dare County DSS (252-475-9320) or Megan Vayette (252-216-7176) to sponsor a family.
For information on specific toy requests, see Facebook www.Facebook.com/hatterasislandangeltree where you will be directed where to drop-off or mail your presents for specific requests.

CHEC “Operation Santa Claus” Toys can be dropped off at their offices in Buxton. Items can be shipped to this address (except those for a specific child) at 47109 Light Plant Road, Buxton NC 27920.

Irene’s Giving Tree

Two Cape Hatteras Secondary School seniors are raising funds and collecting donations for Christmas trees to be given to at least 30 families, including a tree, tree skirt, lights and ornaments. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Monetary donations for Irene’s Giving Tree:
PO Box 71
47468 NC Hwy 12
Buxton, NC 27920

Monetary Donations for Hatteras Island

Our Lady of the Seas Catholic Church
Attn: Angel Tree (also in memo line)
PO Box 399
Buxton, NC 27920

CHEC
Operation Santa Claus (also in memo line)
PO Box 9
Buxton, NC 27920

Coat Drive:
Little Grove United Methodist Church is collecting coats, hats and gloves (new items only) for distribution across the island. Contact Pastor Cory Oliver for further information at (252) 996-0256.

Donations for the Coat Drive:
c/o Hatteras UMC
PO Box 310
57665 NC Hwy 12
Hatteras, NC 27943

Sparkle Bags/Dinners:
Hands of Love is organizing “Sparkle Bags” and Christmas dinners for families. Contact Kim Martin (252) 996-0919 for more information.

Mail donations to:
Hands of Love
PO Box 43
Frisco NC 27936

Older/Disabled Adults and Children in Foster Care Dare County Department of Social Services coordinates items for these special populations. Call (252) 475-5500.

From everyone at Surf or Sound Realty, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help! We will continue to post updates on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/surforsound

10/27/11

Hatteras Island Donations accepted at Surf or Sound Realty

Hatteras Island is a strong community, but is still hurting in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Many Hatteras Island Food Pantry (run by the Buxton United Methodist Men) supplies that normally sustain the island through the winter have been depleted, going to families that lost everything from the storm.

We are grateful to have many guests and friends from all over that have expressed interest in helping out our community. Surf or Sound Realty’s Avon office is an official drop-off location for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry, as well as Irene’s Giving Tree.

When you walk into our office you will find three boxes. Two boxes are for collections for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry. One is for the Buxton United Methodist Men and the other is for Daisy Troop 4175 from Cape Hatteras Elementary School, also collecting for the Pantry.

Items accepted include: non-perishable food, pet food, toiletries, personal items and cleaning supplies. When making a non-perishable food donation, perhaps try to think in terms of a complete meal – such as a box of spaghetti, a jar of sauce, parmesan cheese, a can of vegetables and a can of fruit. All can be purchased at a dollar store totaling around $5.

Also, if you are vacationing and you have left-over non-perishable food, please do not throw it away. Bring it to our office and place it in our drop-off box. Your donations go a long way through the winter!

Monetary donations are also accepted for the HIFP and can be made by check to United Methodist Men and sent to Hatteras Island Food Pantry at P.O. Box 1591, Buxton, N.C. 27920. Your donation is tax deductible.

The third box in our Avon office is for Irene’s Giving Tree. A couple of students at Cape Hatteras Secondary School with huge hearts decided to start a community service project for families affected by Hurricane Irene. They are collecting Christmas decorations for families that lost theirs in the storm. Ornaments, tree skirts, lights, Christmas Trees, etc. can be placed in our drop-off box in our Avon office. If you would like to mail a donation, the shipping address is: Irene’s Giving Tree, 47468 Hwy 12, Buxton, NC 27920. Monetary donations can be made out to CHSS DECA and mailed to: Irene’s Giving Tree, PO Box 71, Buxton NC 27920.

The Really Really Free Market is also in need and still accepting donations for items. The following is the most recent list of needed/requested items for Hatteras Island residents:

Dish detergent and Laundry Detergent
Diapers and wipes, baby powder
Throw Rugs, Area Rugs (Carpet Remnants)
Non perishable food items, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner fixings and any kind of non-perishable (canned or dried) proteins, and children’s snacks
(Gently Used) furniture, especially beds – refrigerators, stoves **Any homeowners, especially part time property owners, who may be trading out furniture or appliances, please let us know so we can arrange for someone who needs them to use your “tradeouts”
3T Boys Clothing – jackets/sweatshirts, pants, socks
Cat Food/Kitty Littler
Plastic totes with lids
Halloween Candy and small toys for Trick Or Treat / Halloween Costumes
New pillows
Sweatshirts (especially ‘hoodies’)
Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Lights
Boys clothing, size 6 to 18
Basketball shorts, basketball shoes (kids 5-17 years old)
Tools (many tri-village and Avon residents used their tools to make a living, and lost them in the storm)
Bookcases or display racks (for Really Free Market to borrow and return)

SHIPPING ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS OF ‘ITEMS’ for the Really Really Free Market
Hatteras Island Family Medicine
Attn: Alex Hodges
50204 Water Association Road
Frisco, NC 27936

Surf or Sound Realty sends a huge THANK YOU to everyone for their care! Hatteras Island is a loved place and we are lucky to share it with you!

08/24/11

Dare County Orders Evacuation of All Visitors – Hurricane Irene Update 8/24: 7:13PM

The Dare County Control Group has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all visitors throughout all of Dare County effective 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 25.

All visitors are urged to make preparations and leave the area. Dare County Emergency Management urges visitors to take all personal belongings with them during evacuation. Other preparation steps are available at www.ReadyNC.org and www.darenc.com

Although the mandatory evacuation order is for all Dare County visitors, residents are advised to take proper precautions and make general storm preparations. This effort should include securing all loose items outdoors. Monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

The Dare County Control Group will meet again on Thursday, August 25 after the 5:00 p.m. storm advisory has been issued by the National Hurricane Center. Further evacuations should be anticipated as Irene moves closer to the Outer Banks.

At this time there are no new reentry stickers being issued. The previously issued stickers, for 2008/2009, are still valid. Residents can also use a North Carolina driver’s license showing a Dare County address. Property owners may use a Dare County tax bill with proper identification for reentry.

A high rip current risk remains in effect, through Thursday evening, south of Rodanthe, NC.

All NPS Campgrounds, Ocracoke, Frisco, Cape Point and Oregon Inlet, closed at noon today and the reservation system has been temporarily suspended. The Silver Lake Marina NPS docks closed at noon today and the Ocracoke Visitor Center, Hatteras Island, Bodie Island and Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh Visitor Centers will remain open until close of business today and then will remain closed until further notice.
Previously scheduled evening programs for August 24 are cancelled. Lifeguard beach operations at Ocracoke, Buxton, and Coquina Beach closed at 5:00 p.m. today until further notice.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse closed at 6:00 p.m. today until further notice. All park special programs scheduled for Founder’s Day, Thursday, August 25th, have been cancelled. Regularly scheduled Fall Interpretive programming will resume after the storm passes the area.

The Flags Over Hatteras event, scheduled for August 25-28, has been postponed until further notice.

Ocracoke beaches are closed to off-road vehicles and all other beaches in the National Seashore will close to off-road vehicles by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25th.

Dare County garbage pickup will be done on a regular basis through Friday, August 26.

The Town of Nags Head will collect ALL residential trash on Friday, August 26. There will be will no residential or commercial trash collection on Saturday, August 27. The recycling trailers located at Nags Head Town Hall and at the Huron Street public beach access will be not be available until after Hurricane Irene has passed. All commercial recycling is suspended until after the storm. The bulk item/brush drop off yard located across from Nags Head Public Works will be closed Saturday, August 27.

Updates and bulletins will be issued on an as needed basis and will be available on www.darenc.com and Government Access Channel 20.

As soon as we have more information available, we will post a message on our Facebook page and here on our Blog site.

www.facebook.com/surforsound and https://hatterasblog.surforsound.com/

08/24/11

Hurricane Irene Update 8/24 – 3:00 PM

Dare County Activates the Joint Information Section

The Dare County Control Group has activated the Joint Information Section (JIS) in preparation for Hurricane Irene. All information regarding local government agencies in Dare County will be released through this source effective today.

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring reports from the National Hurricane Center and plans are in place to handle whatever contingency may arise. Residents and visitors are encouraged to monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

The Dare County Control Group will meet later today, after the 5:00 p.m. storm advisory has been issued by the National Hurricane Center, to further assess the situation and take whatever action is necessary to assure public safety. Although Hyde County has issued an evacuation order for Ocracoke, there have been no evacuation orders issued, at this time, for any portion of Dare County.

Residents and visitors should now be making general storm preparations. This effort should include securing property and making contingency plans for evacuation, in the event an evacuation is ordered. Predetermining a destination is recommended. If an evacuation is ordered, consider calling ahead to make arrangements. During storm events, there are no emergency shelters operated in Dare County. North Carolina Emergency Management will operate shelters elsewhere and information will be announced later as it is made available.

The Ferry Division of NCDOT is assisting with the evacuation of Ocracoke Island running regular departure times from Ocracoke to Hatteras on a first-come, first-serve basis. All other ferry routes will continue to operate normal schedules until such time as they are required to tie up vessels for safety.

Rip current hazards are at a high risk in southern portions of Dare County including Hatteras Island. Wind and wave conditions at this time support a dangerous rip current advisory and are life threatening to anyone entering the surf.

In anticipation of this weather event, all NPS Campgrounds, Ocracoke, Frisco, Cape Point and Oregon Inlet, will close at noon today. The Ocracoke Campground reservation system has been temporarily suspended. The Silver Lake Marina NPS docks will close at noon today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011. The Ocracoke Visitor Center, Hatteras Island, Bodie Island and Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh Visitor Centers will remain open until close of business today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011, then will remain closed until further notice. Previously scheduled evening programs for August 24 are cancelled. Lifeguard beach operations at Ocracoke, Buxton, and Coquina Beach will close at 5:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011 until further notice.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will close at 6:00 p.m. today until further notice. All park special programs scheduled for Founder’s Day, Thursday, August 25th, have been cancelled. Regularly scheduled Fall Interpretive programming will resume after the storm passes the area.

The Flags Over Hatteras event, scheduled for August 25-28, has been postponed until further notice.

Ocracoke beaches will be closed to off-road vehicles by 6:00 p.m. today and all other beaches in the National Seashore will close to off-road vehicles by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25th.

Dare County garbage pickup will be done on a regular basis through Friday, August 26.

The Town of Duck Emergency Operations Team has met and is preparing for the event.

The Town of Nags Head is watching Hurricane Irene closely. At this point, there are no changes to operating hours or Town services.

Contractors are reminded by the Dare County Planning Department to secure all loose materials at job sites.

Updates and bulletins will be issued on an as needed basis and will be available on www.darenc.com and Government Access Channel 20.

As soon as we have more information available, we will post a message on our Facebook page and here on our Blog site.

www.facebook.com/surforsound and https://hatterasblog.surforsound.com/

08/24/11

NC DOT Plans For Likely Closure of N.C. 12

The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 12:28 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 12:28 p.m.

North Carolina transportation officials planning for the arrival of Hurricane Irene say they are prepared for damage to the main highway and bridge serving the Outer Banks.

DOT spokeswoman Nicole Meister said Wednesday that workers are positioning heavy equipment on Hatteras Island to keep N.C. 12 open as long as it is safe for crews to work. The island highway is routinely covered with water and sand during big storms.

Immediately after the storm, workers will inspect the aging Bonner Bridge. The two-lane span is the only link to the mainland for Outer Banks residents. Meister says the bridge will not be opened unless engineers are sure it is safe.

Ferries will be standing by to handle vehicle traffic if the road remains closed following the hurricane.

As soon as we have more information available, we will post a message on our Facebook page and here on our Blog site.

www.facebook.com/surforsound and https://hatterasblog.surforsound.com/

08/24/11

National Park Service Visitor Centers, Campgrounds and Beach Closures Due to Threat of Hurricane Irene

The National Weather Service is predicting that the effects of Hurricane Irene will impact the Outer Banks Group units, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, by Friday, August 26, 2011 with storm conditions continuing through Sunday, August 28, 2011.

In anticipation of this weather event, all NPS Campgrounds, Ocracoke, Frisco, Cape Point and Oregon Inlet, will close at noon today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011. The Ocracoke Campground reservation system has been temporarily suspended. The Silver Lake Marina NPS docks will close at noon today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011. The Ocracoke Visitor Center, Hatteras Island, Bodie Island and Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh Visitor Centers will remain open until close of business today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011, then will remain closed until further notice. Previously scheduled evening programs for August 24 are cancelled. Lifeguard beach operations at Ocracoke, Buxton, and Coquina Beach will close at 5:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 24, 2011 until further notice.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will close at 6:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 24th until further notice. All park special programs scheduled for Founder’s Day, Thursday, August 25th, have been cancelled. Regularly scheduled Fall Interpretive programming will resume after the storm passes the area.

The Flags Over Hatteras event, scheduled for August 25-28, has been postponed until further notice due to the threat of Hurricane Irene.

In preparation for the storm, Ocracoke beaches will be closed to off-road vehicles by 6:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 24th; all other beaches in the National Seashore will close to off-road vehicles by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25th.

As soon as we have more information available, we will post a message on our Facebook page and here on our Blog site.

www.facebook.com/surforsound and https://hatterasblog.surforsound.com/