Some Reflections on Dolly

The last week has been one of emotional extremes as residents, visitors, and all who love the sandbar known as South Padre Island, whether they were physically on the island or somewhere else, watched, waited, prepared, waited, and then were mesmerized as Dolly became the first hurricane to make a direct hit on SPI in 20+ years. I cannot imagine what those who remained on the island experienced but I know without a doubt the anxiety felt by those of us not present, who have property, friends, or just feel a connection to this special little sandbar, as we watched the newscasts and listened to reporters describe conditions that we could not imagine. As I continuously switched between The Weather Channel, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and any other weather reports I could find, the frustration mounted as I tried to get a glimpse of what was behind the reporter, to identify some landmark, to get some idea of how bad it actually was. Seeing one reporter after another demonstrate the strength of the wind, by taking the classic stance of man against nature, did little to show us what was happening to our homes or our friends homes, our favorite restaurant or bar, or whether there would be any beach remaining.

I have pulled together some words which I think demonstrate what all of us who love this place have been feeling.


The town began issuing emergency management storm updates which continued to become more ominous as Dolly approached the coast and seemed to be headed straight for Brownsville.

On the SPIForum discussions focused on Dolly

Ok, if its a cat 1, who is staying ? Who is going? What if its a tropical storm? If it even could be a 2 I am outta here!! ! Too early to run, later may be too late to hide. Gotta love it.

and

So let's take a straw poll:
Raise your hand if you are putting up plywood this evening. Feel free to elaborate why or why not.

(Those of you smug smarties who have storm shutters can just sit back and smile ;-)

The world is definitely watching - spotted the CNN Weather truck coming onto the island at 6:30 this morning.

and

Check out the weather channel, as of 5:45 Jim (Cantore) was on the beach in Isla Blanca Park.

Rob Nixon talked about getting prepared

Well it's 5:15 PM and it looks as if Hurricane Dolly is going to visit South Padre Island tomorrow morning.

I have been up since 6:30AM and I have shuddered my in-laws house, my house and been to the tower to tie down all that stuff.

And finally Wednesday came, bringing Dolly, who arrived as a Cat 2 Hurricane and slammed into South Padre Island with a force that no one expected.


being sandy feet:

Four thousand miles away from Blackbeards, the wide-screened TV is tuned to CNN International where I am treated to the totally surreal vision of my beloved island - battered and under water - over and over again in the news loop

and more here

The news from home is not very happy. SPI really took a pretty bad hit and the timing couldn't be worse -- July is peak season when most of us need to make enough to get us through the slow times. If the power stays off for weeks no one will come even for those of us who didn't suffer significant damage

from Melissa

The rest of the Island has no power and no water. The winds are whistling, but subsiding. The rain continues. There is significant flooding throughout the Island, but the flooding on Padre Boulevard has diminished some. There is significant damage to many, many buildings. More than 200 power lines/poles are down with many palm trees snapped in half.

The bridge is open, but there are pelicans everywhere. They are using its concrete sides as a shelter from the wind. Now that's a sight to see.

Staying through this storm and watching it blow in, was probably one of the most memorable experiences I will ever have.

To be continued