Northeast Recovery
Hurricane Floyd Aftermath
September 24, 1999
Staff Report
UPDATE
AHOSKIE, NC

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) has posted a map of road openings for the eastern part of the State to assist motorists trying to reach various destinations like the Outer Banks. A DOT tabular listing of road closings is also available by North Carolina county. Finally, visitors may call DOT with specific questions regarding road conditions at (919) 549-5100 category 7623.

All roads and bridges on the Outer Banks are open as are local businesses ... visitors should allow extra time traveling to and from the Outer Banks since some roads and bridges in the eastern part of the State and in southeastern Virginia are still closed, although many are reopening rapidly.

There are no restrictions on travel throughout the Outer Banks including Ocracoke Island (ferry service has been restored), the northern Currituck beaches including Corolla and Dare County. Local businesses are welcoming visitors back.

Reports from Greenville, Kinston and Tarboro indicate the Tar River has past its crest and is finally beginning to recede.

Ferry schedules from Swan Quarter and Cedar Island are varying so please call 1-800-BY-FERRY for updated ferry information and to make reservations.

Chamber Announces On-line Auction
Expanded Auction
September 20, 1999
Staff Report
NEWS
KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC

The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce announces this week that a new On-line Auction has been added to the Chamber's website at www.outerbankschamber.com The On-line Auction will feature one Outer Banks Vacation package per month with assorted combinations of stays donated through Outer Banks real estate companies, hotels, motels and inns, rounds of golf, sporting adventures, unique Outer Banks gifts, gift certificates to local businesses, and more! Packages will be up for bid for 30 days beginning the 15th of each month.

"Our silent and live Chamber Auctions have been such a success over the years that we realize people enjoy the excitement of a bidding war," according to Auction Chairperson Lisa Cafferty. "Adding an on-line Auction enables us to continue the fun year round while opening the bidding process to those around the world who might want a chance to bid on an Outer Banks vacation getaway."

The On-line Auction also offers a unique marketing opportunity to Outer Banks business owners.

"The new On-line Auction offers the chance for us to highlight businesses who make donations, showcase their products and services, and draw attention to the diverse offerings which the Outer Banks has to offer year round," according to Chamber President John Bone. "We feel this is a great opportunity for our Chamber as well as businesses who wish to participate and for those who love the Outer Banks to pick up weekend getaways, weeklong stays, special gifts and items at a special reduced rate."

The current package is a 2 night/3 day stay in a deluxe oceanfront home and 2 rounds of golf sponsored by Beach Realty & Construction/Kitty Hawk Rentals. The October Package will be a 7 night stay at a home in Corolla provided by BD&A. Each package high bid is automatically posted as bids are submitted. Our bidding cycle is 30 days beginning on the 15th of the month.

Those interested in checking out the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce On-line Auction can click on the Auction icon or go directly to the Auction page at www.outerbankschamber.com/auction/. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to bid on Auction items.

The Chamber's Silent & Live Auctions will be held beginning at 5:30 pm, Saturday, September 25, 1999 at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. Using a "Countdown to the Millennium" theme, this year's event will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres provided in part by Alltel, an open bar provided by Tarheel Distributing and Mutual Distributing, party favors provided by Alltel, Shallowbag Bay Development, MNC Mortgage and Solutions. Auctioneer for the evening is Jim McCreery. Reservations are being accepted now for the live Auction at $25 per person or $40 per pair.

For more information, to make a donation to the On-Line Auction, Silent or Live Auctions, or to make reservations for the September 25th "Countdown to the Millennium" event, call 441-8144.

Schedule of Events
UPDATE
Last Updated September 23, 1999
Cheryl Roberts

The new lighthouse site is an area of 3.1 acres surrounded by natural growth. The light of the lighthouse will gain an advantage at a new height to put the beacon out across Diamond Shoals. A Notice to Mariners for light-out was issued for March 1st.

May until early June: installation of the main beams with hydraulic jacks that lifted the tower. The next step was to install the roll beams upon which the tower moved.

Eary June the slide began. Moving about 50-100 feet per day it took until early-July.

Early July until early September the tower arrived at the new foundation, be lowered onto the concrete pad, all steel removed, and concrete infill to complete its new foundation will be done.

Phase 2 will begin and work on details including parking, utilities and such begins.

The relighting ceremony has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 13, 1999.

Memorial Day 2000 reopening is planned. Nothing specific has been announced, but a ceremony will likely be in order.

Lighthouses Escape Damage
Cape Hatteras Update
September 23, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
MOREHEAD CITY, NC

Hurricane Floyd posed no threat to the lighthouses of North Carolina. The brunt of the storm went inland after landfall south of Wilmington.

Bald Head Island reports water and sewer damage on the island. This lighthouse has weathered hurricanes since 1818, so it is truly the seasoned veteran!

Ocracoke Lighthouse has been through this sort of test since 1823 and is doing fine, just as are Cape Lookout (1859), Cape Hatteras (1870), Bodie Island (1872), and Currituck Beach (1874). The United States Lighthouse Service builders did their jobs well! The island of Oak Island took a beating, but the light station, built by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1958, is in good condition.

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

In the image "brickwork" (9/18/99) [Large Image] you can see the columns of brick about to fill the entire underside of the lighthouse.

The 147,000 bricks-strong foundation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was completed on the afternoon of September 14th, as reported by the National Park Service.

At this writing, masons are cleaning the stone of the granite entry steps and first plinth. International Chimney, Inc,. general contractors for the move, report that the stones and steps should be reset beginning next week and will take about two weeks to complete. This is a LOT of work!

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

The image "brickwork up close" (9/18/99) [Large Image] shows you the specially-fired bricks, which were manufactured to withstand 6,000 psi. This is the last time you will see under the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!

Phase II will begin, which includes the building of a comfort station, a parking lot, revegetation, etc.

The windows of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse are still boarded up because manufacturers are overloaded with window replacements following Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd. The windows are likely to be replaced with whatever is available to fit and secure the open spaces, then later they will be replaced with more historically correct reproductions when funds are available.

Photos courtesy Cheryl Shelton-Roberts

The final image "PKQ from atop" (9/18/99) [Large Image]is from the gallery deck of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. As you can see, the gained elevation kept this (and the Double Keepers Quarters, out of the image to left) high and dry. What timing for this move!

The re-lighting ceremony has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 13, 1999. We will send the press release concerning the re-lighting ceremony of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse when the National Park Service issues one. An archive of these lighthouse updates are located at http://ecnews.outer-banks.com/backissues.cfm.

West of the Outer Banks, flood damage to areas stretching from Greenville to Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Kinston, and north into Virginia has been devastation of historic proportions. If you would like to help, contact your local Salvation Army or the Red Cross for groups helping those in need.

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Feb 1, 1999
Staff Report

The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society updates the progress of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move ... sign up to receive e-mail updates.

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