Hello, everyone,With Hurricane Dennis threatening to "menace" the North Carolina coast, the most often-asked question at the moment concerns the Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse's safety during a storm.

International Chimney, Inc. of Buffalo, New York, general contractors for the relocation project, state that the lighthouse is "wonderfully safe in its new location."

As of Thursday, August 26, over 60% of the brick infill had been completed. Extra masons came on board to get brick placed as soon as the tropical storms began to roll off the coast of Africa during the past several days.

By Saturday morning, August 28, all the main load-bearing areas of the lighthouse tower will be supported by brick columns consisting of brick that has been specially ordered for its density and strength. Some shoring towers still remain and a few sets of posts also remain from disassembled shoring towers that may be reassembled quickly in case of an emergency.

The lighthouse can take at this time, even before all infill is complete, a direct hit from a storm of well over 100 mph. Since the relocation process began over one year ago, not a minute has been lost in the rescue efforts. A strong nor'easter that threatened the immediate beach area of the old location a few weeks ago was the first shot across the bow. The move has been timely, allowing a continued growth of history for this lighthouse, a Historic National Landmark.

It is the lighthouse itself which embodies the history of Cape Hatteras and we can rest easier knowing all possible is being done to protect it.

For an archive of updates, see www.outer-banks.com/ecnews

We have received news that WRAL-TV will do a live broadcast of the re-lighting ceremony that begins at 7 pm with the light being restored at 8 pm, followed by a documentary of the move. ABC News Niteline will present their documentary, which includes the relocation, the evening of September 6.

OBLHS

Hello, everyone,

Reports are beginning to come from Hatteras Island and areas north along the coast.

Highway 12 is over washed and impassable from Nags Head to Rodanthe and again from Avon to Buxton. The National Guard is reported to be present on Hatteras Island. ICC personnel who live on the island continue to communicate on conditions including the status of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

One worker lost his truck to storm surge Monday while going to check on the lighthouse and the construction site; fortunately he walked away and got a ride back safely to his home.

The lighthouse is standing tall! The only damage reported is from winds that knocked out the weather station at the top of the tower, and a glass pane around the sixth level is missing. As predicted, sand has washed in and around the new foundation, the result of heavy rain and persistent winds. Wind gusts have been lessening Monday, but the rain continues. One of four weather modules show the possibility of Hurricane Dennis coming back in over the Chesapeake and/or Cape Hatteras areas.

A resident on Hatteras island tells us in a phone conversation that water is standing from the heavy rains. Due to power outages in many areas of the island, little communication by television and radio has been possible. Phones provide connection among residents. Wind and rain continue in the area.

After workers are able to get back to the construction area, approximately two days are needed to restore the work site at the light station. De watering will continue and final brickwork and foundation details will then resume.

The following report dated August 31 is given by National Park Service Ranger Bob Woody:
-Quote-
A quick assessment of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and its construction area reveal that 90% of the site is under 1 or 2 feet of fresh water and seawater including the foundation hole where the brick work was being completed. The Construction Zone fencing was blown or washed away. The weather monitoring station at the top of the lighthouse was destroyed by wind. But the lighthouse has survived in good order; pumping of the water will begin/continue until the foundation hole is again dry and ready to complete the "bricking".
The relighting ceremony scheduled for 7PM on Saturday, September 4, 1999 is still planned as long as people can get to the site. There appears to be road damage just north of Buxton; a complete assessment by county, state and National Park Service people will be made today of the extent of the road damage. The light will be relit at 8PM on Saturday, September 4th regardless.
-End quote-

As of noon today, hurricane Dennis has stalled about 175 miles off the Hatteras coast due to a Canadian high pressure front, and is sending Northeast gale-force winds along the coast. The Outer Banks Sentinel newspaper reports power outage in Nags Head, and reporters are putting the next issue to bed from a relocated office at the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills.

For latest developments as reported by the National Park Service concerning the relighting ceremony, check the www.nps.gov/caha website.

For weather conditions from Hatteras to Duck, look at
http://www.outer-banks.com/weather.cfm
You can personally check the present and predicted weather conditions for the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

It is hoped the storm will clear the area, cleanup can begin, and Labor Day plans can continue. However, for those with reservations in the affected areas for the holiday, watch event updates on the Park's site www.nps.gov/caha and watch changing weather conditions.

OBLHS

Hello, everyone,
Conditions on Hatteras Island and other Outer Banks areas are being further reported by local news reporters in the Nags Head area.

The National Guard pushed a convoy through to Hatteras Island all the way to Buxton. They carried food to residents and fuel oil for a power generator on the island. At this writing, many phone lines are down and reaching residents for comment is difficult. Those requiring special medical attention are receiving assistance.

It is reported that a one-half-to-three-quarter-mile stretch of Highway 12 has been washed out and cars are stalled and/or submerged under water from surf that has been breaching the dune lines. This particular place along Highway 12, north of Buxton, has long been a vulnerable spot due to the narrow strip of land between sea and sound upon which this road crosses.

There are widespread power outages along these affected areas. On the bright side, Hurricane Dennis has been downgraded to a tropical storm and for the present, has stopped its backtracking southward towards Kitty Hawk. Kitty Hawk announced a mandatory evacuation Tuesday afternoon, along with the Beach Road (Highway 12) area of Nags Head. Fortunately, it is reported that the rain has become lighter and that the winds are lessening. But everyone continues to keep an eye on this unpredictable storm.

This evening, a supply boat is arriving at Hatteras Island with dry meals, batteries, and other emergency supplies. International Chimney Corp,
Inc. (ICC), personnel will arrive by boat tonight and will give us an assessment of the construction site and surrounding area on Thursday. "The lighthouse is doing just fine. It is stronger than ever," Joe Jakubik of ICC stated in a phone conversation today.

The damaged road to Buxton probably won't be reopened in time for the re-lighting ceremony (officially canceled) in order to accommodate heavy traffic; however, plans continue to re-light the Cape Hatteras Light since a "Notice to Mariners" has been issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The agenda that was planned for the re-lighting ceremony will become an integral part of the light station rededication event next spring. The National Park Service will announce the date for this ceremony, and the lighthouse is planned to reopen to the public by Memorial Day 2000.

The Annual Keepers Dinner for the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society WILL BE HELD Saturday, September 11 beginning at 5 PM at the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills. At this time, there is NO change in any part of the schedule. If you have any questions, email society@ncnets.net
Please take a look at the new forum for the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society. Go to www.outer-banks.com/lighthouse-society and click on the button to the left titled "forum." We are just now setting up the site, so grow with us! Suggestions and comments are welcomed. Send us your Outer Banks Lighthouse photos and let us choose one to put on the site. Mail a selection of a maximum of six photos and/or slides with permission to place them on our society forum site to the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society P.O. Box 1005 Morehead City, NC 28557 Indicate if you want your images returned with return postage and mailing information.

For an archive of the society's updates, see outer-banks.com/ecnews
Outer Banks weather conditions can be checked at
www.outer-banks.com/weather.cfm

OBLHS


Addendum


Hello, everyone,
Details continue to come in about developments concerning the conditions on Hatteras Island in the wake of Hurricane Dennis now termed a tropical storm off the north coast of the Outer Banks.

First, it is reported that National Guard personnel have successfully reached villages north of Buxton, but due to a channel cut by storm surge just north of the village of Buxton, have not negotiated the gap to reach the village.

Second, the re-lighting ceremony has been officially canceled and will NOT take place until further notice from the National Park Service, "when conditions allow free access to the light station." Keep checking the www.nps.gov/caha for this event's date in the future.

The storm still threatens to double back on the northern beach areas, so if you have reservations over the Labor Day weekend, please check with your hosts about accessibility.

Another update will follow on Thursday.
OBLHS

Hello, everyone,
First, a hearty thanks to all of you who have sent notes of encouragement and concern. We are sending you the latest news we have received.

The re-lighting ceremony scheduled for September 4 has been canceled. The ceremony and lighting has been delayed until visitors have access to Hatteras Island again. The breach of Highway 12 is significant south of Avon towards the village of Buxton. The narrow neck of land just north of Buxton has over washed and has cut accessibility for now. State DOT workers have already been at work getting sand off the road in places and negotiating the channel of water holding back restoration of normal conditions.

International Chimney Corp, Inc. project manager, Joe Jakubik, states the lighthouse is in excellent shape. Other than the anchorage for the weather station being bent over and a missing windowpane, the National Historic
Landmark is acting every bit the part of a strong soldier. Even the scaffolding at the upper level is still intact. The lighthouse foundation is sitting in its natural element: about three feet of water. The water actually helps the brick mortar to cure and strengthen to some degree. After the site is de-watered, final bricking will be completed. When de-watering is no longer needed, earth will cover the foundation and the natural water table will restore itself to about four-five feet, putting the foundation back in water for preservation.

Storm surf has breached the dune near the old site and is washing within only feet of it. The plinth stones, placed in a circle around the original site, are in place at this writing. The Keepers Quarters are on higher ground at the relocation site, and very little water is pooled in that part of the light station. Their foundations are strong and keeping them safe.

"We had a couple of our work trailers blown off their bases, but that's just an inconvenience, no big deal," says Skellie Hunt, site manager for the relocation process for ICC, and who is now on Hatteras Island. "And the lighthouse and Keepers Quarters are in great shape." Skellie was enjoying a chicken stew, an "MRE," (meal ready to eat) that had been brought compliments of the National Guard. "The only thing is," he chuckles, "there are about three pages of instructions on how to eat it!"

It is reported that several NC DOT loaders are continuing an attempt to keep sand off Highway 12 while 40-50 knot winds push across the barrier islands. The delay in getting stone to the broken road area is lengthened because of persistent waves and winds driven by the tropical storm, still lingering off the northern Carolina coast. Reports from Rodanthe state the dune line has been severely damaged with extensive over wash. The National Guard is bringing in MREs to as many stranded residents and visitors as possible. The National Park Service also has staff on Hatteras Island to help in any way possible.

The following announcement by the National Park Service concerns the cancellation of the re-lighting ceremony until a date to be announced in the near future:

NEWS RELEASE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE
OUTER BANKS GROUP
For Immediate Release: Robert E. Woody
(252) 473-2111 x122
Hurricane Dennis Scraps Ceremony for
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Re-lighting
The Saturday, September 4th, re-lighting ceremony planned for the Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse has been canceled due to the impacts of Hurricane Dennis on
Hatteras Island. As a result of damage from ocean overwash, North Carolina
Rt. 12 has been closed to all traffic south of the Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet.
Approximately a ½ mile section of NC 12 has been washed out north of Buxton, making the area temporarily inaccessible. The North Carolina Department of
Transportation does not expect NC 12 to be reopened in time for the scheduled ceremony. The re-lighting will be rescheduled when the Island is safe for automobile travel, the villages have recovered for the hosting of visitors and tourists, and the people of Hatteras Island are ready to participate in the re-lighting celebration.

Hurricane Dennis, while causing a great deal of damage on Hatteras Island, had little effect on the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The lighthouse faired very well during the storm, sustaining only superficial damage. A temporary weather station at the top of the light was destroyed after recording a top wind gust of 128 mph. The only other damage was a sixth level window that was blown out during the height of the storm. The foundation was flooded by ocean overwash and heavy rainfall and is currently being pumped dry. The flooding will delay the brick foundation work for a day or so. The project work will begin again as soon as employees can access the Buxton, NC area.
-End quote-

News on Ocracoke has also been coming in. RAI and Associates has posted the report and it is available to you at
outer-banks.com/ecnews
Basically, the water is receding and Ocracoke hopes to be back up and running very soon to greet visitors.

Three is an excellent article in today's Raleigh News & Observer. You can look at the article on the following website.
www.nando.com/front/story/0,1108,88595-140003-976011-0,00.html

And another site reporting on the conditions on the Outer Banks due to Hurricane Dennis:
http://www.wral-tv.com/news/state/North_Carolina/NC--TropicalStormDenn___=TOPAP.html

Again, the Annual Keepers Dinner is still on schedule for September 11.

Press is in the affected areas and there should be much national media covering the effects of Dennis this evening.

OBLHS

Hello, everyone,

The Kitty Hawk to Rodanthe areas of the Outer Banks has been reopened. The southern part of Hatteras Island from Buxton southward remains inaccessible due to sand on Highway 12 and a washed-out portion just north of the village of Buxton.

Some pictures of the storm including one of the lighthouse's old site after being overwashed can be seen at:

www.pilotonline.com/hurricanes/dennis/dennis03.html and a few more at:
wire.ap.org/?FRONTID=HOME&SITE=NCCHN choose "Southeastern States" then "Charlotte Observer" then "Dennis Continues to Threaten NC"

Thanks to Kathy, a listserver subscriber, for passing these on to us.

The Keepers Quarters are high and dry.

ABC News Nightline will air a program on the Boston and Cape Hatteras Lighthouses Monday night, September 6, at 11:30 PM (Eastern time zone). Included in the program is footage all about the relocation process. ABC is filming today at the lighthouse and will include footage in Monday night's program.

Watch for future details on a date for the rescheduled re-lighting of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

An archive of updates may be seen at outer-banks.com/ecnews

And take a look at the new Outer Banks Lighthouse Forum at
www.outer-banks.com/lighthouse-society

You may email images for posting or you may mail them with permission to post to OBLHS at: P.O. Box 1005 Morehead City, NC 28557 Please send postage and mailing info if you want the images returned.

Subscribers: OBLHS has a hard hat used during the move available for auction to those on this list. Others will be auctioned at the Annual Keepers Dinner September 11 and by lighthouse societies around the country. All proceeds go towards furnishing the Keepers Quarters at the new site.
Bids may be sent to society@ncnets.net

OBLHS

Individual membership in the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society is $15.00; family $25.00; business $40.00. Membership includes four mailings including three issues of THE LIGHTHOUSE NEWS plus one special mailing, the publication of the Society that keeps you up-to-date on area lighthouses plus stories and interviews with lighthouse keepers and their families.
OBLHS