The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-11-02
Asst CAROLINA GETS
40 NIGHTS,
'ORTY DAYS OF RAIN
Water Standing on Poorly Drain
ed Roads Proves q Nuisance;
High Tides Prevail

Poorly designed roads, and poor
drainage of these roads have help
ed to create quite a nuisance for
people of the Dare Coast during
the week, as a result of the heavy
rains concluding a series of some
30 days, of rain, and some wind.
It now looks as if there will be
40 days and 40 nights of rain, as
in old Noah's day.
For many years heavy rains
have given trouble on the Dare
Beach roads, because there is no
adequate drainage provided. Each
year, appeals are made for emer-
gency funds. Each year bitches are
cut, pipes are provided for culverts.
And when the water is drain
ed off the whole thing is ap-
parently forgotten. The next year,
when heavy rains again flood the
roads, the same old situation
exists. Nothing has been done in
preparation. The pipes are filled
with sand. No effort has been
made to keep them open. Due to
the shifting nature of the sands,
it is difficult at best to keep the
pipes and bitches open, conse-
quently such effort needs to be
planned ahead of time.
Heavy rains this week ran down
the highway, and flooded long
stretches of it between Kitty Hawk
and Mays Head. In some houses
floors were covered, they having
been built on the ground at road
level. High sea tides ran over
some lower places of the beach,
and filled the low built roadways
The worst example of highway
engineering stupidity is on Hat
teras Island, where a trench was
dug, and road put in it. Conse-
quently every torrential rain
means flooded road, for the wa.
ter cannot get away. In addition
to the trench built for the road
the highway commission has haul
ed away most of the right of way
on each side, leaving a 100 foot
trough for rains and tides to SWEEP
down.
| Although the rains were heavy
this week, they do not compare ii
damage with many that have oc.
CURED during the years since 1888
when the road was torn. up by
storm on Mays Head beach the
first time. Because of lack OF
drainage, certain areas have al.
ways been flooded and when floors
of houses are poured on the
ground in such areas, anyone may
expect houses to be flooded also.
Relief from heavy rains anC
high tides that have beseiged this
coastal area for more than weel
appears in sight. There has beer
no actual damage, except that it i!
reported that in some instances
soybeans which have not beer
harvested are nearing the stage
where they will begin to rot if moi
harvested promptly.
Farmers in most cases this veal
harvested their corn early, and on
ly small percentage Of the corr
still remains in the field. However
few farmers are known to have
combined their beans, and contin
ued bad weather could deal a hart
blow to farmers by damaging thu
soybeans, which have grown wei
this year to date.
Many low spots have been food
ed by the tide. A low portion O
Belhaven's Main Street in front O.
the town hall has been completed!
covered with water several days
During Monday nights heavy rain
2.8 inches Of rain were reported t,
have fallen in Belhaven.
At New Holland, Fish and Wild
life gauges recorded 4.31 inches o
rain from $3.50 pm. Monday Il
1870 pm. Tuesday. Measurabl
amounts of rain also fell every da,
during the previous week with tn
exception of Friday. On Wednes
See WEATHER, Page Eight
/