Fire Department Rises to the
Challenge of Isabel
Published WED SEP 24
KNOTTS ISLAND - The
following report on the actions of the Knotts Island Fire Department
(Currituck Company 15) was submitted by Lt Scott Morrison:
Day 0 - (Thursday 18, Sept)
Winds reached sustained 85 mph for approximately 4 hours at the height
of the storm. Gusts reported throughout the Island at various times were
between 90-110. Three microbursts touched down, one on the north end
near Poplar Branch knocking over several large trees in a wooded area
and partially blocking Woodleigh Rd. The same twister took out the main
three-phase power lines. The second touched down on Raccoon Drive near
Delfenthal's Shop and efficiently removed all the shingles on the back
of the roof and placed them neatly in a circle in the side yard. This
twister left a reading of 225MpH on a nearby weather meter. The third
touched down in the 400 block of Knotts Island Road, felling a very
large tree that knocked a double-wide mobile home off the foundation and
destroyed the roof. It also felled trees on two other residences nearby
with some roof damage. One Fire Dept. Member's home was destroyed, and
he was displaced to a hotel in Norfolk, Virginia. (NOTE: All electricity
out at 0800hrs)
Day 1 - (Friday 19, Sept)
The Knotts Island Volunteer Fire Department mobilized Damage Assessment
Teams to all parts of the Island, noting 113 single family homes, 2
businesses & 2 government buildings with minor damage. Four single
family homes & 6 out-buildings w/ major damage, and 3 double or single
wide mobile homes and 4 out-buildings destroyed. All main roads were
passable, no flooding occurred. the afternoon's efforts were focused on
opening up secondary roads and making preparations to get drinking water
and food to the residents. (No Ferry Service and Main road off the
Island blocked in Virginia Beach.)
Day 2 - (Saturday 20, Sept)
KIVFD continued supporting efforts for disaster relief and patrolling on
Fire Watch. County Wide Burn Ban placed in effect at our request. First
delivery of drinking water & MRE's arrives via the Currituck Sound
Ferry. 300 bags of ice are delivered to the Knotts Island Market and
passed out by the KIVFD. All available KIVFD members are on duty.
Day 3 - (Sunday 21, Sept)
Outdoor Church services are held at both churches, residents continue
clean up & recovery efforts. The KIVFD continues to coordinate supply
shipments of water & food. The second water delivery is received, and
Sonny's Kitchen (from the Outer Banks) arrives and feeds 400 at Ruritan
Park with hot meals & drinks. (The first hot meal most have had in three
days.) Knotts Island School opened from 0900-1900 for hot showers.
Day 4 (Monday 22, Sept)
KIVFD continues coordination of disaster relief efforts and Red Simpson
Inc. Power & Light crew arrives on the Island from Texas (Texarkana
area). They are served supper at the fire station.
Day 5 (Tuesday 23, Sept)
Red Simpson crews still working to restore power to the Island, and at
1230hrs the main power grid was hot !!! 93% of residents now have power
and the others are expected to be restored by 1930hrs. The power crew
was fed lunch at the fire station. The KIVFD continues 24hr staffing of
all available personnel, and continues fire watch patrol through 0600
Wednesday 24 Sept.
Day 6 (Wednesday 24,Sept)
KIVFD still feeding power line crews lunch & dinner. The last 150
Salvation Army prepared meals will be served at lunch today and the
Senior Center will resume normal lunch service. EOC has been advised
that meals are no longer needed and water is no longer needed. As of
this writing Sandy Point Resort, Campground & Trailer Park is still
without power, crews are on site working to restore service.
- Submitted by
Lt. Scott Morrison, Knotts Island Fire
Department, CFP Dispatcher 966, VFN-30, Tidewater Fire Photographers
Assoc.
-
FireNews.net Staff
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