Island Free Press But, honestly, when the time did come to show our storm damage to the proper authorities in all its glory, I was slightly humiliated that I was asking for help.  And this, I do believe, is an island-wide phenomenon. We’ve all heard reports of people who go to the local Really Really Free Markets — which are remarkable beacons of assistance in this tragedy. They are people who have lost everything and who are literally the folks… read more

Outer Banks Sentinel Days before Hurricane Irene’s arrival on the Outer Banks, with changing projections of the storm’s intensity and path, Hatteras islanders weighed the pros and cons of leaving. Dare County ordered a mandatory evacuation, issuing a release that stated, “Those who do not evacuate should expect consequences.” With the storm downgraded from a Category 3 to a Category 1 hurricane, approaching the island with 90 mph winds and heavy rain, many residents elected to stay, boarding up their… read more

Published Sunday, October 2, 2011 BY BRUCE SICELOFF – bsiceloff@newsobserver.com   WAVES — Men’s shorts and mosquito repellent are still in demand at the Really Really Free Market, a take-what-you-need center for hurricane-stunned Hatteras Islanders. The local volunteers are stockpiling cold-weather goods, too. “We’re having to take in stuff for needs that are three and four months down the road, like January-February winter clothing,” said Jennifer Johnson of Hatteras, one of the market organizers. “Many people lost all their clothing when… read more