KITTY HAWK, N.C. - A former Parkersburg resident said the coastal area of North Carolina he lives in is experiencing the after-effects of Superstorm Sandy.
Tom Halfhill has lived in Kitty Hawk, N.C., along the Outer Banks, for about 21 years. Halfhill graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1946.
Halfhill said Wednesday his electricity went out at his home in Kitty Hawk on Friday morning during the storm, but it came back on about two hours later. Water approached his residence, but he said he did not suffer any flooding or wind damage. He was able to get to the store for supplies by Wednesday.
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U.S. Route 158, known as the bypass to local residents in Kitty Hawk, N.C., is covered in water from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. (Photo Provided)
"I have water within 50 feet of my house," he said. "I'm one football field from the ocean."
Halfhill said his house didn't suffer damages other than his lattice fence in the backyard was torn down.
"I was fortunate," he said in the aftermath of the superstorm. "None of the homes around me had much structural damage."
Halfhill has seen several hurricanes while living along the North Carolina coast. He said he evacuated for Isabel in 2003.
The worst of the damage done by Isabel was in Dare County, where he lives and in part of Kitty Hawk. Reports after Isabel were that the storm produced heavy damage across eastern North Carolina, totaling $450 million.
Electricity was out for 11 days and there were 80 to 90 mile per hour winds with water coming into his house, he said.
There are about 10 permanent residents near Halfhill. He said most of them decided to stay during Superstorm Sandy.
Halfhill said the road to his house is blocked on one end.
He said he tries to remain well supplied in case of an emergency.
