As of about an hour ago, we are safely back home. This is the scene from the front of the church as were leaving there to come here.
Our yard and street are a bit tattered but not bad.
The best news? We came home to find that we still had electricity! So many people in this area are without power and I am ever so grateful for an undamaged house and a working air conditioner. May I just say that this house never looked so good as we walked (actually blew) in the door tonight. I almost cried from relief and from joy.
However, there are other reasons than joy to cry tonight.
Wanchese, the little village on the south end of Roanoke Island, has five feet of standing water and the water has also invaded part of Manteo, which is on the northern end of the island. Police are blocking the roads at both ends of the town’s two entrances/exits because the roads are impassable.
Sarah’s friend, Taylor, and her family are returning from Virginia and just called to say that someone called them to tell them that their home is flooded; however, whether it was flooded or not flooded, I still doubt they will be able to get through the main street to even get to it.
A board member at our church has two feet of standing water in his flooring business and downtown Manteo (near the sound) is completely under water, some of it up to the waist. We drove over there tonight and just stopped at the very outskirts of the flooding for some pictures.
This is a bit blurry but there are actually people rowing boats down the street.
From what we’ve been told, the water level is only going to continue to rise overnight. It looks to me like our beloved Roanoke Island is going to be in for some tough times ahead.
For right now, I’m so very tired and am going gratefully to bed, thinking of so many people who are displaced tonight or, if they are at home, are without many basic necessities.
Gratitude and tears. That was my day.
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Well, I am happy you all are home with a working air conditioner. The flooding looks unbelieveable! So sad for so many displaced.
Up here in Mass we are still anticipating Irene's arrival.
I am so happy you are home with power for a/c. I am so sad to see the pictures you posted and thinking about the people displaced. I am so relieved the Smith's are safe and sound.
Cindy from Sonoma
I'm so thankful that you AND your well-loved home are safe and sound, Becky. There WILL be many sad stories in the days to come. The man who did the wedding photography for my husband's nephew lives in Nags Head and has a (once)beautiful mansion called Abilena. From what he's said on Facebook, she is in sad shape now; he got hit hard. :<( Sending up praises for you... you've been at the top of my list for several days, and I'm so happy to know that you're all OK!
Dee from Tennessee
Thanking the Lord for your provision. Just read the heartshattering details of the deaths most due to tree/limbs, etc. Still praying for family & friends farther up and for all whom I don't know. AND very thankful that it's Good Night Irene at your house. THANKS for the update - kept checking the radar at Maneto like I could do anything about it...LOL
So glad you're home and safe. It is sobering to see the pictures of the devastation--can't even imagine. Love you!
love deb & the guys
Becky & Family...so glad you are safe. Jojy
glad that everything is okay for y'all. it means that the three of you are in a better position to do what God has called you to do (maybe sarah hasn't been called? somehow i doubt it, sorry - even if she doesn't feel the call to preach, i am assuming that being the daughter of 2 pastors and a cancer Survivor, she feels some kind of call) -- minister, be of comfort, be a support, be present, for those who aren't so fortunate on roanoke island tonight.
the other thing i was thinking as i read your post was - those folks on those islands are tough. yeah, they'll need support, presence, and comfort, but the locals on those islands are strong. hurricanes are a part of living there. if they couldn't get through it, they would have moved away. still, though, they'll need help.
babbling. sorry.
thankful that you are safely home,
but so sorry that so many are not that fortunate
mrs pam
Glad you are home safe and sound!
Followed you all day yesterday on here and on Facebook. Glad all is well with you and pray for those who were not quite so blessed.
Thanks for updating thank goodness you're safe! I was thinking, aren't we lucky to have the kind of technology that can predict the course of these storms and give us warning to prepare for shelter....
Also, I've enjoyed so much looking at all the wonderful photos from Nathan and Meagan's wedding! You might remember I posted before - we got married on July 1st so I was following the preparations with interest! We were also blessed with a perfect day, and sunshine, which for England is very lucky indeed!
Wishing you a safe transition home
Rebecca
I'm glad you are home safe & prayerfully yor power will continue to stay on.
So glad that you guys are okay! And hoping you still have power this morning. It's hard to see all of the pictures of NC, VA, NYC and everywhere else and feel helpless to do anything to help. Continue to stay safe, you're still in my prayers as the OBX deals with all of the clean up from Irene!
Glad to hear the good news that you and your home are safe, but do understand your concern for others. The fury of what weather can do is pretty awesome. Our oldest lives in Washington, D.C., and that means going from an earthquake to a hurricane, all within a week. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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