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.
