Wow, what a ride!!!

[mjknapp]

We got back last night from N.C. We got there sat. about two hours before charlie hit. Our house was right on the beach and it took a pretty good beating. I have some short video's during the worst of the storm, and the video's dont do it justice. That was an awesome storm.....I will post pictures and write more later, but alot of stuff to catch up on around the house and on the forum.

[floridamcmarion1]

You should have seen it on this end as a catagory 4! It was just a catagory 1 in North Carolina.

[mjknapp]

Yeah it was alot worse for floridians, but this is the first hurricane I have ever seen let alone be standing in. Alot of roofs blown off, and houses damaged, but nothing compared to what you guys got.

[Remington]

Glad you guys are safe!

[floridamcmarion1]

My first hurricane was a catagory one (Hurricane Irene). I had recently moved to Miami from Oregon and didn't know what to think. It scared me a bit, but it was also exciting. I got over my excitement quickly when I didn't have power for 3 days. After 5 years in Florida I was starting to get more relaxed with them, but now I'll probably always get nervous when one is near.

How did you manage to be on the beach in NC during a hurricane? They usually take those very seriously and evacuate the beach areas. NC gets hit so often they never mess around if one is headed their way. Even a catagory one. After all, even those pack a bit of a punch. I'm surprised you were allowed into the area at all until after it was over.

[mjknapp]

We got there about 10:30 am on saturday, and they gave us the keys, they said it was a voluntary evacuation, except there are two luxury hotels on either side of the island, and the hotels made all of the people staying leave the hotel, but for insurance risks I imagine, but it wasnt mandatory. Our house was right on the beach, walk off the deck and you are in the sand, everyone seemed really relaxed there, power went out for about 15 hours, and there was a few roofs that were blown off, and the miniature golf course got hit pretty bad.

[Jackson's Dad]

...and the miniature golf course got hit pretty bad.

Not the miniature golf course! Noooooooo!!!!!!! :shock:

[floridamcmarion1]

I got a good chuckle out of the miniature golf course myself! It made me remember one of the pictures in the paper following Charley. Picture a golf course with the worst water hazards you could ever imagine. About 80 percent of the course was under water. You wouldn't need a golf cart for that course, but a snorkel would be helpful!

I hope they were able to save the windmill! :D

[Jackson's Dad]

It reminds me of a the only tornado to ever hit Buffalo, where I grew up (which is not tornado country, you know). A small one sets down, and its a huge news event. But all it did was target a movie theatre, and then (insert Jaws music here) make its way to the Putt Putt minature golf course. Thankfully (WHEW!) it never made it that far!