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Forecasts for Matthew and ILM were increasing the chance of a direct
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hit on Southport. We had lots to do before the storm would do its
damage. We removed all canvas and sails, tied up the wind generator,
moved the stuff tied to the deck to a storage unit, doubled up all of
the lines, increased the fenders and fender boards, and prayed. We were
not the the brave ones. We left Jule III day before Matthew was to hit
as the roads were already threatening to flood.
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We headed to the house where we had already set up a
makeshift 'command center, complete with emergency power (Honda i2000 on
the porch), TV, computers, Internet, smart phone, and a comfy chair.
The storm came, grew, and then left. We heard that Deep Point Marina
experienced no significant damage though we had about 4' of surge.
Pilings had another 5' to give.
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Mattie Kay didn't like her namesake making such a fuss so she took
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shelter in her hurricane box. Mattie joined the Jule III as apprentice
swab four days ago. She is 3.5 weeks old, barely weened, and the litter
box is iffy. She was no trouble during the storm but the storm took
pity on her: no significant rain bands and the winds never gusted to Cat 1.
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Today we headed back to Jule III and we were quite
pleased to see her laying quietly in B9. The marina looked great except
for some flood damage to the far bulkhead. About a half a dozen folks
stayed during the storm. They also made it without a scratch but did
not enjoy the ride that much. That was Jule III's third brush with
hurricanes this year, and the second Category I direct hit in two
years. We are getting a bit concerned about these things.
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