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The Oriental harbor Saturday morning at 7:45a. With the eye of hurricane Irene just south of town, white out conditions took over and waters began flooding local businesses. The Bean coffee shop is visible in the center of the photo. Within strolling distance, and all affected by the storm surge, are the Garland Fulcher Seafood Market, Marsha’s Cottage, the Inland Waterway Provision Company, the Oriental Marina Inn / Toucan Grill / Tiki Bar, M&Ms Cafe and the Village Gallery. All businesses plan to reopen as quickly as possible.

Inside the Bean: most Sundays, these floors are covered in the shoes and sandals of folks looking for a cup of java. This past Sunday, they were covered in a fine layer of mud. The Bean flooded with over 6 inches of muddy water during Irene. When the water receded, it didn’t take the mud with it.

Not a good day to quit smoking: Oriental Police Chief Dwaine Moore and Miss Ruth of the Town and Country grocery store explain to customers why they can’t be served. With no power for lighting, refrigeration and cash registers, the store remained closed. Most-requested items included beer and cigarettes. Still, there was hope for those with perishables that needed cooling. Customers could purchase as many bags of ice as they wanted for $1 – as long as they lasted. The business plans to open Monday.

Jamie Berry with one of 5 bags of ice he purchased at the Town and Country.

The gas sign may be down but Frank’s Mini-Mart in Oriental is open. Here, customers are shown parked by the fuel pumps on Sunday afternoon. With power still not restored, they were unable to purchase gasoline. Meanwhile, inside…

a customer stocks up on snacks.

Nautical wheelers in the eye of hurricane Irene. By the time this photo was taken, the waters had already receded approximately one foot. Unfortunately, at the height of the flooding, the first floor was covered in one inch of water. Owners Bill and Camilla Wheeler report they were able to raise their inventory above the water. Bill says the hurricane experience is “all part of Oriental.”

It only takes an inch of water to ruin a carpet. Here, a pile of ruined floor coverings in front of Nautical Wheelers waits for a ride to the landfill.

Trash Cans! Trash Bags! Hurricane clean up supplies – along with the usual rebuilding supplies – will be available at the Village Hardware store on Monday.

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Posted Sunday August 28, 2011 by Bernie Harberts