Two Days in the Aftermath of Hurricane Irene: From Photo Ops to Photo Extreme | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Later Monday afternoon, shortly after 5:00 pm, U.S. Senator Kay Hagan visited Beaufort County, and in particular, the Emergency Management Team for an update. Like the Governor, the Senator was genuinely concerned about the plight of Beaufort County's predicament. Also like the governor, the photo opportunity was important, and understanding that, I was there to help.

United States Senator Kay Hagan gets an update from Interim County Manager Jim Chrisman and Emergency Management Leader John Pack on the extent of Beaufort County's known damage from Hurricane Irene: Above. The Senator had heard how bad the neighborhood of Mac'swood was damaged, and as a resident and the county's representative in this entourage, I was only too happy to expose the terrible destruction that was in every direction: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage
Earlier in the morning of that day, I made this image on Cypress Circle of this large pine crossing the narrow lane. This was just one of many large trees impeding passage of the traveler: Above. Later that same day, Senator Hagan met the people who help remove and clean up the fallen pine: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage

I like this photo because of the obvious contrasts: Above. I also will remember the contrast of walking in my neighborhood when most of the trees were vertical, rather than in Hurricane Irene's aftermath when so many are now horizontal: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage

From the devastation within Mac'swood in Washington, NC to that which resembled a war zone in the immediate area of the Broad Creek Harbor, with its assorted marinas.     photos by Stan Deatherage

My impression of this "Safe Harbor," seared permanently upon my consciousness, was that of rampant destruction and sailing vessels resting in odd places: Above and below.     photos by Stan Deatherage