Do any of the locals have an idea of how long the clean up effort will take. I'm talking about infrastructure like roads, power and water. From the many images and stories I read here, it seems like that effort alone could take weeks or months. Then you have to rebuild the damaged houses and businesses. My heart goes out to you. If there is any saving grace I guess its the fact that this happened in the off season. Good luck to you all.

On the Outer Banks, where the only road the length of Hatteras Island was washed out, tourism officials were trying not to think about the immediate future and instead focusing on getting things up to snuff for the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight in December.

"We're going to be standing tall and proud on Dec. 17, 2003, I'll tell you that much," declared Carolyn McCormick, managing director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. "It's the day that changed the travel industry forever. It's a day that changed the world forever. And we're going to be ready for it."

Private insurers estimated damage in North Carolina could exceed $1 billion. In coastal Dare County alone -- where dozens of homes in Hatteras, Kitty Hawk and Nags Head were destroyed -- officials say it could top $500 million.

The Mayor of Kitty Hawk has reported it will take a year to repair and clean up. The ocean is also a mess with things drifing around on top and bottom. Give it a couple of weeks and things will look alot better in that area, but who knows if or when the ocean front will look the same.

Avon Village- a matter of days for recovery. Only a few shingles off and some water damage under doors.
Rodanthe- longer- camp ground destroyed part of the road washed away, dunes gone. The houses and road will be ready in a few days but the dunes will take months to repair.
Buxton- some water damage as it rose into houses and the motels at the beginning of town. Road covered with sand to 4' in spots.
Hatteras Village- weeks/months before they get a road/bridge into that area.
Kitty Hawk and Nags Head. Those houses not damaged will be open soon. 26 went down in Kitty Hawk and several in Nags Head. The roads in Kitty Hawk are covered with fallen trees and other stuff and areas there are still without power.

Mercy that sounds terrible, Beachgirl any idea how the Atlantic Side did between say the Cabanas and the Museum area?

I spent all day worknig in Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo. Whoever thinks the houses and roads will only take a few days haven't been there.
I have personally seen houses sheered of their pilings and sitting 50 to 75 feet where they used to be. There are some that are just rubble, and theres three to four feet of sand everywhere.
The place stinks of backed up septic systems and there are wires down all over except the main road.
If the powers that be have any sense at all, they won't open Hatteras Island for a good while. There's "tons" of work to be done.

Steve, my place is in Gull Shoal Manor, at the very end, last one of the right. If you were in that area, would appreciate any observations. Thanks for the update.

I haven,t benn there and also haven't had time to look around except for where I was working.
I'm going down again today. If I happen to be near Gull Shoal, I'll swing in and take a look for you.

Steve B.

I realize you are very busy, but if you have a chance and are in the area can you please check the oceanfront on Beulah O'Neal Drive in Rodanthe. In particular, oceanfront home called Imagination. Thank you!