.jpg)
Hi! The above photo is me and a friend heading to the beach on Monday last about 4PM, as the hurricane came in. You can go back a few posts to see how the beach approach normally looks, but at that point, the wind was less than 45 mph and from the north or east. The beach here faces south, so was not so affected at that time. Not much rain either. Power and phones were all working. So far as I was aware there was no evacuation order. [I think there was but it was not mandatory, or not yet issued?]
And all seemed okay. The outer dunes were flooding at their bases but not overwhelmed with waves crashing over the tops as we have seen in many nor'easters. Then, as darkness fell, Oct 30, Monday...full moon high tide...the entire ocean just heaved up, swelled up and crashed over the dunes where we are standing, over the turquoise steel 15 foot high seawalls! Not a wave...a whole wall of ocean. It poured into the back yards, pools, around the houses, cars were swept away. Other cars were rescued as people ran out in waist-high surge to move them. The water came up to my home...but not in.
We were safe.
Of course the electricity went when the storm surge engulfed us. It was very dark, but I had food, candles, my family was safe and dry. We had iPads, books, Kindles, cards...the night and following day went well. But then...nothing, No gas, no food supplies[no grocery stores]; no hint of help or repair from any government source or LIPA our power company. And so I packed up my family and have come to the city where a friend has taken us in.
When can I return to my home and my beach? It may be a very long time. Or never.
love
lizzy
gone to the beach
.jpg)
