Village Craftsmen

170 Howard Street 

Hurricane Isabel

September 15, 2003 - September 23, 2003 

Monday, September 15, 2003

Although no one can confidently predict the course of Hurricane Isabel at this time, the storm is on a track that may include landfall on the Outer Banks sometime on Thursday.

Emergency management personnel have called for an evacuation of Ocracoke Island beginning at 12:30 pm today. 

No one on the island is dismissing Isabel, though some residents are choosing to remain in their homes, while others are planning to leave.  The hurricane is still hundreds of miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, and the wind velocity has decreased from 160 mph to 140 mph. 

We will keep you informed of developments via this web page as long as power and telephone service are available.

Residents have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather during the last few days to make preparations for Isabel.  People are removing loose objects from their yards and porches, pulling small boats out of the water, and finding areas of higher ground to park their cars and trucks. 

Many docks are empty as boats are taken out of the water:

Cars are parked on higher ground whenever possible:

Boats are secured as well as they can be:

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Island residents are relieved to hear that maximum sustained winds associated with hurricane Isabel are down to 105 mph.  Nevertheless we are bracing for what looks like a direct hit sometime on Thursday.  In the meanwhile the several hundred residents who have chosen to remain on the island have generally finished most or all of their hurricane preparations.

Following are a few more photos.

The ocean beach continues to show modest signs of the impending storm:

Businesses are boarding up their windows:

Rental bicycles stacked on the porch, away from high tides (we hope):

Wednesday, September 17, 2003, 8:30 am

Ocracoke village is very quiet.  About 200-300 residents have elected to remain on the island.  UPS and USPS services have been suspended.  Most businesses are closed.

A light to moderate breeze is blowing as Isabel approaches the coast.  NOAA has issued the following:

... Storm information... at 5 am the center of Hurricane Isabel was located about 450 miles south southeast of Cape Hatteras. Isabel was moving north northwest near 9 mph. Maximum sustained winds were near 110 mph with higher gusts... making Isabel a category two hurricane.

The center of Isabel is forecast to make landfall as a strong category two hurricane near Ocracoke Inlet around noon on Thursday.

... Wind information... winds along the coast are expected to begin increasing late tonight. By sunrise tomorrow winds could be as high as 50 mph on the immediate coast. The highest winds will be near the center of the Isabel. The center is expected to cross the coast around noon with winds of over 100 mph.

... Overwash on Highway 12... some beach erosion is likely today along the Outer Banks. Ocean overwash is likely on Highway 12 on the Outer Banks... especially around high tide which will occur shortly after noon.

Storm surges on the Outer Banks are expected to be around 6 to 8 feet on Thursday. 

Additional information can be found on at

Wednesday, September 17, 2003, 4:00 pm

Winds are beginning to pick up this afternoon.  Gusts are probably as high as 25 mph, but 15 mph is more typical.  The village is very quiet.

Hurricane warning flags are flying:

The surf is now washing up to the dune line:

...Hurricane Isabel Beginning To Bear Down On Eastern North Carolina...

The center of Isabel is forecast to make landfall between Cape Lookout and Ocracoke early Thursday afternoon...

... Overwash on Highway 12... ocean overwash is likely on Highway 12 on the Outer Banks ... Especially around high tide which will occur around 1 am tonight.

... Marine information... very rough surf conditions are already occurring. Seas were near 15 feet at Diamond Shoals... and near 25 feet further offshore. Ocean swells striking the beach are resulting in dangerous rip currents. People are urged to stay out of the water.

Thursday, September 18, 2003, 7:00 am

Winds have increased during the night to about 30 - 50 mph.  Rain not yet heavy.  No tidewater on Howard Street at least.

... Wind information... winds across the area have been increasing... with gusts as high as 60 mph at Cape Lookout... 53 mph at Beaufort and 50 mph at Cape Hatteras and Kill Devil Hills. The potential for hurricane force winds will begin along the coast within a couple of hours after sunrise. The highest winds will approach the coast as the center makes landfall around midday.

... Overwash on Highway 12... major ocean overwash is expected across the Outer Banks near the time of high tide today... which occurs around 130 PM. Battering waves of 10 to 15 feet on top of the 6 to 8 feet of storm surge will result in major ocean overwash and beach erosion.

Storm surges on the Outer Banks are expected to be around 6 to 8 feet on Thursday.

Seas offshore were near 30 feet. Ocean swells striking the beach are resulting in dangerous rip currents.

Thursday, September 18, 2003, 9:45 am

Winds are estimated at 50-60 mph.  Trees are swaying as the wind increases.  Power is fluctuating periodically.  Soundside flooding is beginning.  Small waves are evident as the tide flows down School Rd.

View from Howard Street looking through church yard:

View from corner of Howard St. & School Rd. looking towards school:

Thursday, September 18, 2003, 1:15 pm

Hurricane force winds of 80 - 100 mph have been battering Ocracoke since about 10:30 am.  At the present time, the eye is passing close to Ocracoke village.  Winds have subsided and tides have fallen slightly.  However we are prepared for a resumption of strong winds as the eye passes.  At 11 am the water was 12" deep on the School Road and 18" deep near the Slushie Stand.  I have heard reports of water waist deep in some areas of the village.

Water across Highway 12 near the Slushie Stand:

Howard Street residence at high water:

Fallen trees block Howard Street:

Update, Friday, September 19, 2003, 3:15 pm

Ocracoke has been without power since about 10:15 am, yesterday.  The community generator was started moments ago.  Everything considered, Ocracoke faired well during hurricane Isabel.  

According to reports, peak winds were recorded at 105 mph on the island.   The eye of the storm passed close to the village about 12:45 yesterday.  Winds abated, the rain ceased, and the sky lightened.

Not long afterwards the winds shifted and tidewater started flowing into the village from the ocean.  The water level at the Village Craftsmen was close to the level during hurricanes Gloria & Dennis.  

Although there is noticeable damage in the village (primarily broken & downed trees and flood waters), homes, businesses, boats, and other structures weathered the storm well for the most part.  There have been no reports of any injuries on the island.

The ocean breached the dunes in several places, including the airport ramp and several places north of the pony pasture.  Sand covered parts of the airstrip.  Power lines are down on the north end of the island, the pony pen suffered major damage, and the horses are now free to roam.

Several people have reported major damage to Try Yard Creek, just south of the pony pasture.   According to witnesses, the roadway on both approaches to the bridge has washed away, making travel to the north end of Ocracoke impossible.

Many reports have filtered down to Ocracoke of extensive damage to homes, businesses, roadways, and the beach on Hatteras Island and the Nags Head area.  We have also heard of major flooding and damage at Swan Quarter and Cedar Island.

As of today, Friday, September 19, no ferry service is available to or from Ocracoke Island.  Residents should check with the NC Highway Department and the Ferry Division for latest updates about re-entry to the island.

Tidewater approaches the siding at Village Craftsmen:

Village Craftsmen parking area is flooded:

View from Village Craftsmen parking area toward highway 12:

Airport ramp is wide and level:

Flood waters have receded noticeably today and Ocracoke residents are busy cleaning up the damage. 

Saturday, September 20, 2003, 8:00 pm

Ferry service to Ocracoke from both Swan Quarter and Cedar Island has been resumed.  At this time only residents are permitted to return to the island.   

Electric power in Ocracoke village is being generated locally.  Most telephones on the island are working.  Municipal water has been available continually.  Internet access was restored just a short while ago.

Ocracoke islanders are feeling very fortunate.

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

At this time Highway 12 is closed north of the airport ramp as NC Department of Transportation workers clear the highway of sand and broken pavement.  The bridge at Try Yard Creek has been repaired.

Reentry to Ocracoke is still limited to permanent residents.  Access by air and private boat is also restricted.  

Approximately 48 power poles were knocked down at the north end of the island.  The local generator is providing power to islanders.

The water plant is operating normally, the school is in session, and garbage is being collected.  

UPS has not yet resumed pickups and deliveries on the island, but the US Postal Service is adjusting to the new circumstances.

Following are a number of photos taken during and after hurricane Isabel by island resident, Shelby Wright:

More information and additional photos of Isabel and her aftermath can be seen by following these links suggested by Warner Passanisi, Ocracoke resident (these were active sites as of 09/23/2003, but may become inactive at any time):

Ocracoke intact

Charlotte Observer - work on the highway, plus photos of Hatteras Village

Washington Post - story on Ocracoke

More shots of Hatteras Village

Outer Banks Sentinel - photos of damage

Outer Banks Sentinel - more photos of damage

Storm rips through Hatteras Village 

More Hatteras Village Coverage