So, Nor-Ida blew through and headed west and north respectively. The Severe Weather Alert issued Saturday afternoon was right on the money. As the winds died down to a breeze the ocean was anything but calm. The waves remained between 4 and 5 ft high well into Sunday, as predicted, making high tides dangerous and unpleasant.The inconvenience finally ended when the coastal highway was reopened Monday afternoon. Some folks are having to cope with the debris and clean up as the waters recede, while others were unable to return to their homes until today.
The backyard here is covered in marsh grasses and other stuff pushed up from the high winds and tides. It stinks and will probably take another day or two to dry out so it can be removed.
I took a drive through some of the reopened communities and back roads this morning before work and was amazed at the depth of the water still present. I never thought some of these towns would have been at such risk, but now I know why they were evacuated so quickly. Not a pretty picture.
The weather has been beautiful since Sunday, but rain is in the forecast for Thursday so the area is enjoying a brief sigh of relief. Everybody has stories to tell and pictures to share showing what they coped with and are taking it all in stride with good humor. Well, what else can one do? You put on your big girl panties and DEAL!
Interestingly enough, friends in Louisiana and Mississippi wrote to tell me that they received virtually NO rain or winds from Ida before she moved northeast. They were shocked by the pictures I posted and told me it reminded them more of a hurricane than a nor'easter. I must say, at times it felt like a mild hurricane, bringing back many memories from childhood.
The really sad news is that a few beachfront homes were lost (no life lost) and three fishermen have been missing since just before the storms hit.
I talked with some "old timers" today and they said this one was the worst in over a decade, and that the combination of the two storms was the worst they could remember. Always listen to a waterman. That's enough for me.
It's cocktail time. Cheers!
And so it goes.
*
It sounds like you need a cocktail.
ReplyDeleteHaving just recently watched the movie of The Perfect Storm, I find your real life adventures the more awesome (and not in a good way). Having lived in communities ravaged by flooding from remnants of hurricanes, I also know that recovery can be slow and costly. I hope your area is able to rebound well.
ReplyDeleteYou do know that this storm interferred with out birthday celebration dinner don't you? Want to pick up the pieces after Thanksgiving week?
ReplyDelete