The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1961-09-22

Hearts were lightened Wednes-
day morning along the Coastland
when the news came that Hurricane
Esther had passed by lightly, and
was headed northward, where the
north Atlantic States might have
reason to fear it's fury. The day
before, Tuesday, had been a busy
one, a frantic effort made by all
when great labor prevailed to make
things safe in case Esther should
land in full force. Memory stood
out fresh of the great loss sustain
ed during Hurricane Donna just q
year ago, and it's been only a few
days since our people were made
completely aware of the havoc
wrought in Texas by Carla.
Preparations began in force
Tuesday morning when local build
ing supply dealers were soon out
of stock of plywood which was in
great demand for covering glass
fronts. Some merchants packed
bags of sand in front of their doors.
Other resorted to heavier lumber
than plywood.
AS always when hurricanes are
on their way, some exaggerations
occur. News got abroad that all but
three hundred of Hatteras Islands
people left for the mainland. Had
they been so inclined, they couldn't
have all left, for the ferry boats
were taken away early in the day
along with the Alligator River
boats, to Manns Harbor for safe
ty. Traffic over ferries to the Out
er Banks was discouraged. Most
people of the Outer Banks have no
fears for personal safety in a Hur-
ricane, and those who did leave, for
the most part, used the occasion as
an opportunity to visit relatives
they had not seen in a long time.
Only few of them stopped at
motels or hotels north Of the an
let.
On Monday and Tuesday, as news
of the possibilities of danger from
Hurricane Esther became wide
spread, all of the tourist business
on the Outer Banks disappeared as
motorists moved out, and others
cancelled their plans and failed to
arrive. Some operators of motels
Were critical because word had
been broadcast of the probable
fury of the storm; having no fear
themselves, they doubted it would
arrive in force.
But by Tuesday night, most peo-
pie had resigned their minds to the
possibility of finding things in
shambles when they awoke next
morning. It was with great relief
they awoke to learn that during the
night Esther had changed her mind.
and moved seward, so that wind
force along the coast was nominal
indeed, particularly at all points
which were inland.
Heavy seas driven before the
hurricane did some damage to sand
fences and other protective barriers
along the coast. Heavy ocean tides
rolled across the beach, washing
out shoulders of roads, asd in q few
instances damaging pavement. In
some places large heaps of sand
Were driven on the road by the
winds. Ocean water rolled across
the beach north of Avon. some
two days before Wednesday, and Il
came over the road in a few areas
as far north as Kitty Hawk.
The same conditions that nre.
vailed in North Carolina. followed
In turn on the Virginia coast. and
SO on to New England. The pealr
winds got to within IT'S miles Of
cape Hatteras, and it was constant
~ drummed into the public mind
VIA radio that these winds were nm
to $50 miles per hour. with full
recollection of the past losses IN
mind, this was sufficient urging for
See STORM, Page Six