Hatteras island Evacuation All the blocked roads Why?
Hatteras Island Evacuation All the Blocked Roads Why?
A rescue of a delicate island such as Hatteras Island is not an option. It is an inevitable reaction to a threatening act of nature. Hurricane Erin can hit directly or not, but its huge presence and strength make it a big threat indeed. An evacuation order was mandated because there was good reason by the authorities. They do this because they are aware the only road linking the island to the mainland is soon going to be swallowed by the sea. It is the only highway that the whole community relies on. When it flows, then everyone is blocked.
One Run Through Life
The North Carolina Highway 12 is the heartbeat of Hatteras Island. It is a slim strip of asphalt and sand which is stretched along the shore. The highway is permanently exposed to storms.
To begin with, it is low-lying. Secondly, it is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound. This site predisposes it to the storm’s effects on two sides easily.
A formidable storm may easily rush the water over the road. This ocean over-wash may occur on the ocean side. The same occurs when the sound waters increase.
To take an example, high tide will be at around 5 p.m. Tuesday. This coincides with powerful waves of the storm. All this makes a disaster recipe. The authorities anticipate massive flooding. Neither can they expect the ocean to go over the road. They are even fearful that sections of the road would be washed away. Such effects translate into the impassability of the road. Nobody will be able to traverse on it safely.
Economy of Words
County Manager Bobby Outten put it best. Sweeps of the storm ocean could wash away segments of Highway 12 even without a direct impact. His remark is to the point. The scale of this storm is the issue. It produces life-endangering waves in a vast radius. It does not have to strike the island directly to generate this damage. It simply must approach near enough to issue the rush of water.
The Action to Remain Safe
The evacuation order sees to it that people leave before the situation has deteriorated to a massive extent. It avoids a dreadful state of things. Residents may find themselves stuck when they take too long. They would not have means of escape out of the island. They could not be attended to by the emergency services. Stuck occupants would be in great peril. The storm would leave them to cope on their own.
Finally, the roads are closed due to high tides since Highway 12 will be swept away or covered with water. This point of failure implies that nobody can make the island safe. The evacuation order is another important measure to save lives. It cannot be called an overreaction. It makes sense as a reaction to a hazardous situation.
Human beings have to evacuate now to secure their survival. It is not just a recommendation—it is mandatory evacuation. The topography of Hatteras Island is very vulnerable, and a strong hurricane such as Hurricane Erin is an eye-opener. The island depends on a single road. People get isolated when that road is not passable. These predictions are not shadowy. Their forecast is of high tides and big waves that would flatten the dunes. They will result in excessive overwash and flood the highway with feet of water. The road will go out of commission for days.
The authorities are just doing what is most responsible. By ensuring people (residents and visitors) have an opportunity to get out of danger before they are trapped, they are ensuring survival. The second option would mean leaving people isolated without food, healthcare, or emergency support.
To sum up, the failure of transportation is a direct consequence of the storm’s force and the weak geography of the island. The evacuation is a preventive action against a foreseeable natural disaster. It is a precautionary step to ward off a tragic end.
For More Upcoming Update Stay With Us Onenationvoice.com
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author and do not reflect the official stance, policies, or perspectives of the Platform.
