Allegedly, new inlet forms...

[ncweatherwizard]

I don't know how true it is. I have gotten reports from Hatteras Island that to the north of Cape Hatteras, a 50 foot wide, 10 foot deep inlet has completely crossed the island and connected the ocean and the sound. I don't know if it's just a temporary flooding situation or what; I haven't seen any pictures of it yet.

Things are calming down here. Trees are everywhere, and we received 7.5 inches of rain today, but other than the roof damage on one corner of the house, all looks well. I better get on off, since the power lines snapped, and my laptop is limited. I'll try to get back on tomorrow and see what's been going on.

[JetMaxx]

It wouldn't surprise me...the hurricane struck near high tide and came in from the angle to really slam the southern Outer Banks hard. I'm concerned about how bad the damage is.....I saw the severe flooding and wind damage up at Kitty Hawk and Nags Head on the news...but the area from Avon to Ocracoke was in the very worst part of this hurricane -- my guess is it was far worse there than farther north...far worse.

[Ababa]

I know where that is and it wouldn't surprise me one bit.....one of the locals speculated that that would happen.

[SacrydDreamz]

You think more of the 119kt flight level winds mixed down to the surface? I certainly think it was possible..

[Anonymous]

An excerpt from an article found on hamptonroads.com:
"It may even have carved proof of its force into the fragile landscape of the barrier islands. Dunes were breached, and a large chunk of N.C. 12 vanished north of Hatteras Village, leaving a 10-foot deep, 50-foot channel. It was unclear if a new inlet had been formed.
Those who tried to reach the village said it appeared there had been substantial damage there. But with the road blocked by wreckage, phone lines down and electricity out, there was no communication in or out."
http://www.hamptonroads.com/stories/nw0919trop.html

[deb_in_nc]

The poor Okracoke ponies. I hope someone checks
on them soon to see how they made out. I hope they didn't lose too many.

Debbie

[yzerfan]

The Chincoteague ponies too. Seeing Chincoteague mentioned in the warnings made me think of them, and I hope they made it through okay.

[Downdraft]

The process by which this happens is known as back channelling. Quite simply water seeks its own level so when the ocean level rises above land but lower the the "back" bay area something has to give. The ocean will do anything it can to equalize the pressure/height of the water between the two bodies in close proximity. Many inlets have formed this way and in fact some islands have been cut in half by it.

[JCT777]

Downdraft - good post on this. The inlet in Ocean City, MD was formed back in the 1930's from a hurricane.

I too hope the ponies are OK. My wife and I have gone to Assateague several times and enjoy seeing the wild horses.

[Lethemeul]

Having lived in Eastern NC for about 12 years, that is not an uncommon occurence. Dennis cut a new inlet as well. I'll put moneydown that says the new inlet won't be there long. The Army Corps of Engineers apparently has too much time and money and they will fill it back in as soon as the opportunity arises.

[Anonymous]

Awww.......why can't they just let it stay? Build a bridge across it if need be, and have a neat sign that says, Isabel Inlet: Carved out by Hurricane Isabel on September 18, 2003.

Besides, a new inlet would be interesting! Now they get to re-draw the maps!! How often in one's lifetime do you get to do that?

Save the new Inlet!!!
Save the new Inlet!!!
Save the new Inlet!!!


Maybe since I like it so much, they can call it Jebs Inlet!!!
Now THAT would be very cool!!!!


-Jeb

[gpickett]

I just visited the area recently and there are areas of frequent overwash at Pea Island NWR just south of the Bonner Bridge. They are in the midst of debate on how to replace this bridge so they do not have to maintain Hwy. 12 on the north end of the island. I can only imagine this is where the breach occurred and that it will embolden those who want to extend the Bonner Bridge so that it bypasses Pea Island.

[beenthru6]

I had heard on the news that in the days prior to Isabel coming that the ponies of Chincoteague had been rounded up and taken to safety. I don't know about the ones on the other Islands.