‘Like a zombie apocalypse’: Reactions to the OBX blackout
On Thursday, Ocracoke and Hatteras islands went dark.
After a construction company working on the new Bonner Bridge damaged main lines supplying power to both islands, thousands were without electricity for hours until generators were brought in late Thursday and Friday. Then rolling blackouts began.
Visitors and residents took to social media to share their reactions to living without power during one of the peak vacation weekends of the year – a time when both islands are typically full of life.
“It was the creepiest thing I have ever seen in my life,” Kayleigh Connell, of Greensboro, told WCNC. “I kept saying it was like a zombie apocalypse.”
“I told my kids that we are going to live like the settlers did when coming to Roanoke Island...making it more a history lesson,” Jessica Sevila, a mom of four, wrote on Twitter.
I told my kids that we are going to live like the settlers did when coming to Roanoke Island...making it more a history lesson #OBXBlackout
— Jessica Sevila (@jessica_sevila) July 27, 2017
Others shared disappointment in canceled vacations or shared alternative plans.
Making the best of it, hiking a trail near our home instead of a beach day at Avon NC because of #OBXBlackout pic.twitter.com/szRqtCOVCg
— Carmen Belanger (@BookLadyMD) July 30, 2017
#OBXBlackout salt in wound. Driving home. Truck breaks down. Stuck in NJ #vacationover
— Terri Sweeney (@TivoAteMyBaby) July 30, 2017
Vacationing in Hatteras despite #OBXBlackout evacuation (wife owns property there). I'll buy lots of beer and shellfish to support economy.
— Jeff Pojanowski (@pojanowski) July 30, 2017
A few were hoping to commemorate “surviving” the blackout.
We needed to evacuate Rodanthe this morning, back home safe in Jersey. Where do I get my "I survived the #OBXBlackout tee shirt?
— Ray Sette (@PsychicRay) July 29, 2017
This story was originally published July 31, 2017 at 5:47 PM with the headline "‘Like a zombie apocalypse’: Reactions to the OBX blackout."