Hurricane
Isabel - September 2003
Meetings
with AWFC & Park Service 9/26/03
BK Barringer (DIFF
CLUB Past President)
Met yesterday with the Willis'
at AWFC and with Park Service officials at Park Headquarters.
This is the
information I recall:
- The
Park service is moving as fast as possible. Because it is a National Park,
repairs, etc. will be executed under NPS control. They have mobilized
Park Service teams of various specialties to evaluate the situation and
begin repairs. They are temporarily hiring locals to assist. AWFC Employees
Johnny, Jackie, and Kyle have been hired. They are to hire up to 25 locals.
Others are being imported to assist.
- Until
told what the plan is, AWFC is closed “INDEFINITELY”. This is
being posted on the AWFC phone. AWFC will post update information on their
website.
- Work
priorities include repairing the docks to allow for access to the banks to
get equipment and material there and remove vehicles. Other priorities
include public health and safety issues such as the feasibility of getting
the community water system and waste disposal (septic systems) operating.
- Park
Service is to inform, via mail or telephone, all vehicle owners when they
can access the island and that they are to remove all vehicles.
Awaiting an official safety evaluation. (Note: It is important that the
vehicles be removed quickly, without any pollution and the parking lot
cleaned. We do not wish to do anything to fuel the cause of those
organizations that want to ban vehicle access to the banks.)
- The
north end of the banks may be open to pedestrian traffic as soon as this
weekend. No vehicular traffic.
- The
Park Service plans to use volunteers on the banks. First priority will be to
establish a back road and fore beach. This is to be done with post installed
every one tenth of a mile. 500 posts are to be installed.
- After
evaluation by Park Service engineers, a plan will be developed to address
the utilities and cabins at the Great Island Camp. The Park Service plans to
use volunteers. In what capacity has not been determined.
- People
that wish to volunteer time, material, money or other will have an
opportunity to sign up. A sign up form is to be posted on the DIFF and/or
Drumwagon websites.
- NPS
can be contacted at 252-728-2250.
DAVIS
SHORE
Visit (9/27/03
) by BK Barringer
On a visit to
Davis
Shore
you immediately see the devastation caused by the flooding. The high water
level from the sound seems to have flooded the majority of the homes in the
community. We are told the damage was even worse further Down East towards
Stacy.
Nearly every residence has a
pile of rubbish, ruined carpet, furniture, appliances, flooring and other
valuable items piled in the yard. Some of which can never be replaced.
The Park Service reports that
according to their records the high water mark was a record, exceeding any
previous storm on record. (Last known worse storm was the Storm of '33)
The citizens of the community
are stressed. They are just now beginning to come out of their shock and begin
the cleanup and repair. Some of this will take a long time having to go thru
insurance claims. FEMA is there to allow them to apply for losses not covered by
insurances and assist those out of jobs due to the storm.
The Salvation Army Corps
arrived the day after the storm, setting up a remote kitchen at the Davis VFD.
Units are also at other locations further Down East. Remote units from various
areas of the country take turns on station.
They continue to feed community
citizens that have no means of preparing meals.
Support for this service is
through the Salvation Army unit in
Morehead
City
.
If you wish to support this
monetarily, you can send a tax deductible check to:
The Salvation Army
Morehead
City
Corps
P O Box
399
Morehead City
,
NC
28557
Mark your check to be used for Davis
Shore
.
It’s going to take time for
the people to recover. Visitors will have to be patient and understanding of
their plight. They want as much or more than us sportsmen to get the banks back
to normal. That’ll take time.
Many of us want to help.
Volunteer projects for the Banks will and are being developed. They will be
controlled thru the Park Service. What can be done for the citizens of
Davis
Shore
will probably have to done on an individual basis.
