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Almost five weeks ago, Hurricane Florence slammed into our beautiful North Carolina coast. The piles of debris are slowly disappearing. The blue tarps on roofs are still in evidence. Friends and neighbors who experienced the destruction of flooding have tearfully said goodbye to memories and are slowing picking up the pieces of their lives.

Although things will never quite be the same, we are finding the "new normal". Most people are back to work and kids are back to school. The air has cooled a bit and it's starting to feel like fall on the coast. The marshes are turning their lovely golden color. It felt wonderful and normal to get out to pleinair paint last week. The cooler air and the changing marshes beckoned. The beaches and dunes showed evidence of the destructive storm but looking for "normal", I found the marshes unchanged.

Figure Eight Island is a small, gated island just north of Wilmington. It experience high water and the ravages of the wind and rain. From my vantage point at the north end of Wrightsville beach, it looked unchanged.

We have all been in recovery mode since Flo's visit but it is nice to find and experience remnants of "normal".

#hurricaneflorence #ncartist #nccoast #figureeightisland #wrightsvillebeach #pickingupthepieces

 

Three weeks after Hurricane Florence hit our beautiful coastal town, amid the damage and mountains of debris, I see signs of recovery. I guess this is also resilience. Most restaurants are open, stores are open and stocked with food and cleanup supplies. Most areas have their power restored. The schools are opening later this week. Life is returning to normal but normal for everyone has changed. People are still living in shelters. Blue tarps cover roofs where trees fell on them. Neighborhoods have been devastated by flooding and homes have to be gutted of all the mold. Belongings and someone's life is sitting in a heap beside the road. Volunteers are feeding those in need and the relief workers. Normal for all has changed. Each day is a step toward recovery but the landscape has been changed forever. A photographer friend, Chad Hartwell posted an amazing photo of an ancient oak tree and with his kind permission, I painted "Carolina Strong". To me, our beautiful old live oak trees symbolize the strength of all touched by this devastating hurricane. It's deep roots keep it firmly in the ground. The people of this area are strong and resilient. Neighbors help neighbors. Those who are able, donate time, money and supplies. The devastation brought out the best in people. We are "Carolina Strong".