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CNN Live At Daybreak
North Carolina Residents Prepare for Hurricane Isabel
Aired September 16, 2003 - 06:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It looks like Isabel will come ashore in North Carolina on Thursday around 2:00 in the afternoon. One of the coastal communities getting ready is Atlantic Beach.
News 14 Carolina's Katie Marzullo joins us live from there.
KATIE MARZULLO, NEWS 14 CAROLINA REPORTER: Good morning, Katie.
Good morning, Carol. It is hard to...
COSTELLO: So, what's happening out there?
MARZULLO: Well, it's hard to believe that this storm is off the coast and headed this way. And I don't mean to be cavalier about it, but it is shaping up to be a beautiful day at the beach out here, just like it was yesterday: blue skies, calm winds and sunny weather.
And most people out here, believe it or not, too, are in pretty good spirits, although you can tell -- we'll show you what's going on behind us here -- everyone is taking it seriously enough to board up their property, keep their homes safe, do what they can do with the plywood. This is what's left over from yesterday's work, and we can show you some pictures of what the residents in this small community were doing yesterday.
Folks who rent here, those who have this as a second home, were all out here. Residents and neighbors being really good to each other, helping each other out with the plywood and making sure everyone has got their windows and whatnot covered up. Of course, a lot of these units are connected, so they're only helping each other out by making sure that, you know, each other's units are straightened and all plywooded up and safe, because a little bit of damage to one unit on the third floor can do a lot to the others.
But I haven't met anyone out here yet who's panicked or worried. In fact, we spoke with one woman yesterday evening, who said they built a special metal and steel room onto their home, and that is kind of their safe place, their shelter. And they're not too worried about it. In fact, they never leave unless the winds are going to be 150 miles an hour or more. So, as we've heard, Isabel is lessening up on the wind speeds just a little bit, so they're staying and they're not worried about it.
And, again, these folks who live here or this is their vacation home or they're just renting, they say they have insurance, they say, you know, of course, they're hoping for the best, they're doing what they can to protect their home. And other than that, they'll just come back at the beginning of next week and see what's left. But they're being pretty hopeful.
COSTELLO: Yes, they're a hardy bunch out there. And by the way, for those of you who don't know it, Atlantic Beach is on the outer banks of North Carolina.
You know, I've covered hurricanes before, and I know people have thrown hurricane parties. I mean, they actually like to ride out the storm.
MARZULLO: Well, I haven't met any of those folks yet, but I don't doubt that they're not out here. But some of the gentlemen we spoke with yesterday said a brother-in-law of theirs had sat through one of them and said it was the most terrifying thing he ever did and he'll never do it again. But at least now he's got a story to tell that he did make it through, but just making it through is the catch.
So, most people at the heart of it are taking it very seriously and, of course, wanting to protect their property and themselves. But, again, you know, you own beachfront property and I guess this is what you expect, so you just do what you can and go on with it.
COSTELLO: Yes. Yes, I think they're kind of used to it on the outer banks. Thanks so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired September 16, 2003 - 06:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It looks like Isabel will come ashore in North Carolina on Thursday around 2:00 in the afternoon. One of the coastal communities getting ready is Atlantic Beach.
News 14 Carolina's Katie Marzullo joins us live from there.
KATIE MARZULLO, NEWS 14 CAROLINA REPORTER: Good morning, Katie.
Good morning, Carol. It is hard to...
COSTELLO: So, what's happening out there?
MARZULLO: Well, it's hard to believe that this storm is off the coast and headed this way. And I don't mean to be cavalier about it, but it is shaping up to be a beautiful day at the beach out here, just like it was yesterday: blue skies, calm winds and sunny weather.
And most people out here, believe it or not, too, are in pretty good spirits, although you can tell -- we'll show you what's going on behind us here -- everyone is taking it seriously enough to board up their property, keep their homes safe, do what they can do with the plywood. This is what's left over from yesterday's work, and we can show you some pictures of what the residents in this small community were doing yesterday.
Folks who rent here, those who have this as a second home, were all out here. Residents and neighbors being really good to each other, helping each other out with the plywood and making sure everyone has got their windows and whatnot covered up. Of course, a lot of these units are connected, so they're only helping each other out by making sure that, you know, each other's units are straightened and all plywooded up and safe, because a little bit of damage to one unit on the third floor can do a lot to the others.
But I haven't met anyone out here yet who's panicked or worried. In fact, we spoke with one woman yesterday evening, who said they built a special metal and steel room onto their home, and that is kind of their safe place, their shelter. And they're not too worried about it. In fact, they never leave unless the winds are going to be 150 miles an hour or more. So, as we've heard, Isabel is lessening up on the wind speeds just a little bit, so they're staying and they're not worried about it.
And, again, these folks who live here or this is their vacation home or they're just renting, they say they have insurance, they say, you know, of course, they're hoping for the best, they're doing what they can to protect their home. And other than that, they'll just come back at the beginning of next week and see what's left. But they're being pretty hopeful.
COSTELLO: Yes, they're a hardy bunch out there. And by the way, for those of you who don't know it, Atlantic Beach is on the outer banks of North Carolina.
You know, I've covered hurricanes before, and I know people have thrown hurricane parties. I mean, they actually like to ride out the storm.
MARZULLO: Well, I haven't met any of those folks yet, but I don't doubt that they're not out here. But some of the gentlemen we spoke with yesterday said a brother-in-law of theirs had sat through one of them and said it was the most terrifying thing he ever did and he'll never do it again. But at least now he's got a story to tell that he did make it through, but just making it through is the catch.
So, most people at the heart of it are taking it very seriously and, of course, wanting to protect their property and themselves. But, again, you know, you own beachfront property and I guess this is what you expect, so you just do what you can and go on with it.
COSTELLO: Yes. Yes, I think they're kind of used to it on the outer banks. Thanks so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
