Sandy and Her Aftermath

The HMS Bounty sinks off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina during Hurricane Sandy

 

Photo by Patrick J Hendrickson - Wildcat Point, the north end of Chincoteague Island, where the Leonard family resides (with ponies)

 

Seen on Chincoteague Island during Hurricane Sandy...

 

Wachapreague, Virginia flooding from Sandy

 

The Atlantic City, New Jersey Boardwalk after Sandy's visit (I'm wrong, again)

This is Funtown Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ about 40 miles north of AC.

Thanks, Kim, for correcting me!

 

Ponies OK - All Noses Counted

Officials on Assateague Island are now reporting that all of the Chincoteague ponies - those owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, and living on the southern portion of Assateague - are fine and that every pony has been seen.  I will assume that the ponies on the Maryland end of the island did as well as the southern herds.  I always worry about the wild creatures during any type of storm - hurricane, bad nor'easter, blizzards, extreme heat for extended periods.  Thank goodness the ponies were born with a large quantity of good sense!
  Water is still covering most of the roads on Chincoteague and Assateague.  Most damage has been caused by trees going down - the ground being so saturated with water that entire root system gave way, and/or large limbs and pine beetle killed trees falling.  True Teaguers are used to these events, and accept them as a part of the natural cycle.  Any old-timer, or youngsters that have grown up on the island, knows what to do when they hear a big storm is coming - weight, secure, tie down, and make sure your boats are moored to something high that won't float away.....

More Chincoteague Sandy Photos

The Pony Committee of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company is out checking up on the ponies on Assateague.  As soon as results are known, they will be posted on http://www.facebook.com/chincoteague.com
Here are a few more photos of Chincoteague from today:

Maybe a new storm door is needed?

 

A driveway...

 

Somebody is missing an oil tank for their heating system

 

Water, water everywhere....

 

South Main Street, looking south, on Monday afternoon

 

Chincoteague Photos: Tuesday after Sandy

Aftermath of Sandy; Tuesday morning on Chincoteague

 

Maddox Boulevard Tuesday morning

 

Looking towards the mainland across Chincoteague Channel, Main Street

 

Barry is working his fanny off, helping folks - here he is with a National Guardsman, doing his official Red Cross duties

 

Chincoteague Update - Tuesday Morning

Chincoteague and Assateague are still there, even if a little battered. This is the latest from Chincoteague's Office of Emergency Management:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 30, 2012 0600
The effects of Hurricane Sandy have caused numerous trees to lean or completely fall. These trees are blocking some roads. Power lines are also across many roads. Please do not get near any downed power lines.
Crews are conducting damage assessments at this time as well as clearing trees from public roads and repairing power lines.
The Town is asking that residents remain off the road until further notice so that we can more quickly open roads and make them safe. Also, please conserve water while we are making repairs.
We also ask, that anyone with damage to their homes, contact 757-336-6519 to report the damage so that we can submit accurate data to FEMA. Also, report any trees blocking roads. The Town will notify you when it is safe to drive on local roads by Reverse 911, www.chincoteague-va.gov and facebook.
Please be patient as this has been an extreme event. Your cooperation is sincerely appreciated.

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Aleda and Barry have survived the night. Waters are receding. Roads are covered with wrack and poles and loose boards, all of which seem to have nails in them. Emergency folks are having a devil of a time getting around due to flat tires from the storm debris. My cousin's mobile home at the southern end of the island survived - most of the deck is still attached to the home, and the flood waters did not get high enough to enter their dwelling. Barry, as a member of the Red Cross team, is out helping folks across the island. There is a great deal of damage in low-lying areas. Aleda and Barry were surprised to find that their boat and trailer had been moved all the way across the parking lot by the water action; but they saw no apparent damage. The island is without power.

  The following are two photos from Chincoteague that were taken yesterday afternoon:

Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague

 

I think this is on Ridge Road, but it might be on Willow...

 

 

Chincoteague Update; the SS Bounty

Most of Chincoteague Island is now without power. Water is still rising. They have sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph; and are expecting gusts up to 80 mph. Captain Barry Frishman, my cousin's husband, has been out twice in today's storm. First he went down to the southern tip of the island and checked on their rented mobile home. This morning, the water was at the second step, and below the floor level. He says that the water has risen enough that he's preety sure the floors are now awash. This afternoon, (even though under a curfew) Barry went out to try and help some of the guys with their boats... He returned saying that several have been lost; the worst problem is that the piers and moorings have all vanished underwater.

Cousin-in-law Cap'n Barry Frishman having a snack by candle light this evening on Chincoteague

 

The bridge and causeway are definitely closed

 

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And I can't believe that a captain and a crew of 15 were out in Hurricane Sandy in the big sailing ship, the S S Bounty! It's a replica of the original Bounty, and it is seaworthy. But this is a hurricane!! The US Coast Guard was able to remove 14 crew members at one swoop. A 15th crew member was pulled from the water two hours later, but is being called "non-responsive", having arrived at a hospital. The captain is still missing. The ship has been declared lost.

Hurricane Sandy Photos

Sugarbaker's and Dockside Properties on Main Street, Chincoteague Island, this morning

 

Swamped car at AJ's on Maddox Boulevard, Chincoteague Island, Sunday afternoon

 

The pier at Ocean City, Maryland has lost at least 100 feet of it's length so far

 

Eastern Shore Islands and Sandy; Marcus Lattimore

After yesterday, I think that I'll have to look at football the same way I look at horse racing: I love and, and, I hate it. Seeing horses break down and be "put down" is always a traumatic experience for me, yet I do know and understand what the odds are in thoroughbred , or any other type of breed, racing. The first game I watched yesterday put a damper on the exhilarating feelings I usually get watching a really good football game. I was watching the South Carolina Gamecocks (and the ol' ball coach) play the Tennessee Volunteers at home. I have two favorite players on the Gamecocks - usually they would both be defensive players, but I have always liked Marcus Lattimore, their running back, and then no one can touch Jadeveon Clowney on defense. I've really admired the way Marcus Lattimore came back from a severe ACL (left knee) injury last season and has been working his way back to 100%; he's great in rushing and in catching passes, not to mention touchdowns. When I saw him get hit with 4 minutes and 21 seconds left in the first half, I knew something was wrong. First, he coughed up the ball without even trying to recover it. Second, and most ominous, was the way he curled up over his right knee - which was laying at a peculiar angle. ESPN replayed the hit in slow motion, and I ran to the bathroom and up-chucked. Marcus's leg was NOT in any normal position that I've ever seen. They spent almost 12 minutes getting him stabilized on the field, placing a knee immobilizer on, and then an inflatable cast over that... Marcus was in tears, as was his family in the stands. The Gamecocks held on to win - but, but Marcus Lattimore was taken by ambulance to the hospital. This morning, the report is that besides a broken femur, all of the ligaments in his right knee are gone (the PCL, LCL, MCL, and the ACL). He might be able to rehabilitate that leg, but it's doubtful he'll be able to live up to his potential before both of these happened.

   Then the Gators were stuffed by the Georgia Bulldogs. The Gators couldn't even score a touchdown - all their points were from field goals. That was sad. - And, the poor Colorado Buffaloes! They met the Oregon Ducks yesterday, and it was predicted that the Ducks would win by 47 points. At halftime, the score was 56 to 0. I didn't watch, but since the final score was 70 to 14, I'm guessing that Oregon allowed all of their team members to play during the second half...

Football today: I am rooting for the Redskins, Jets and the Broncos. Speaking of the Broncos, it was announced yesterday that Peyton Manning had purchased a 21-store franchise of Pappa John's Pizza... I can't say I'm surprised.

   And, finally, super storm Sandy. Chincoteague Island has declared a state of emergency; Assateague Island will be closed to visitors as of noon today (or 15 minutes ago, on the East coast). The island has announced a voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas on Chincoteague; Arcadia High School is the designated emergency shelter. Several low areas are already under water, and more flooding is expected during the next 36 hours, including the fall of 8 to 12 inches of rain. If I were at Pop-pop's house, I'd have the rugs rolled up and on the second floor, along with all of the movable furniture. Gates on Assateague are open to allow the ponies to head for high ground... 

Here is a part of the National Weather Service bulletin for the Eastern Shore:

 " ** IMPACTS...Water levels are expected to rise to 2 to 3 feet above normal by the Sunday morning and evening high tide cycle...and reach 4 feet by the Monday morning high tide cycle. Tidal flooding will continue through the Monday evening tide cycle. Moderate flooding is expected a few hours either side of high tide Sunday morning and evening...and severe flooding is expected within a few hours either side of high tide Monday morning.
** TIDES...At Ocean City inlet...High tide Sunday evening is at 750 PM with a forecast water level of 5.8 Feet. High tide Monday morning is at 819 AM with a forecast water level of 6.9 Feet. High tide Monday evening is at 825 PM with a forecast water level of 5.9 Feet."

  For everyone on the East Coast, my best wishes and prayers.

  For Marcus Lattimore, my love, tears, sympathy, best wishes and prayers.