From the Editor 



Holiday Greetings 



The holidays are upon us. a time when 

 families often come together and communities 

 celebrate. Across eastern North Carolina this year, 

 the strength of families and communities takes on 

 a new importance. From Smithfield to Southport, 

 Goldsboro to Greenville, Kinston to Kitty Hawk, 

 many families are still picking up the pieces after 

 Hurricane Floyd blasted through on the heels of 

 Hurricane Dennis. 



The combined storm damage is astounding: 

 Dozens died as floodwaters swept through entire 

 towns. The economic tally reaches into the 

 billions of dollars in damage to homes, schools, 

 businesses and farms. Clean-up will take months. 

 The economic and emotional recovery will take 

 even longer. 



Along the coast, Sea Grant extension staff members are 

 working with residents as they cope with the storms' aftermath. 

 Communities on the southern coast felt the storm surge. Other spots 

 along the sounds had flooding. Many businesses lost income as 

 major highways were closed or fishing areas were inaccessible. 



The environmental impact of the storms is a top priority for 

 many Sea Grant researchers. They are looking at short- and long- 

 term effects of the storms on coastal ecosystems. As inland rivers 

 flooded, scientists were already gathering water samples. 



In particular, funding from the state and national Sea Grant 

 programs will allow scientists to monitor nearshore ocean waters, 

 which showed early effects from the floodwaters. 



In addition, ongoing Sea Grant research projects on the state's 

 coastal rivers and estuaries are now considering storm-related factors 



Coastal residents are well aware of the power of hurricanes and 

 storm surges. They are used to helping each other pick up the pieces 

 after storms. 



But with Floyd, much of the damage was from inland flooding, 

 with water levels in places like Rocky Mount and Tarboro well 

 above the 500-year-flood estimate. Within days of the storm, coastal 

 residents were heading inland with ice, food and equipment. 



"Although our coastal areas and commercial 

 fishing families are also victims, most are 

 extremely fortunate to have been spared what 

 many of the other inland communities are going 

 through," explains Jerry Schill, executive director 

 of the North Carolina Fisheries Association. The 

 fishing families delivered ice and organized a fish 

 fry to raise funds. 



Relief efforts continue. Many Coastwatch 

 subscribers undoubtedly have already offered 

 contributions. In addition to efforts by the 

 American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and 

 other charities, the state has established a special 

 fund. Checks may be sent to: 



Hurricane Floyd Disaster Reuef Fund 

 Office of the Governor 

 20301 Mail Service Center 

 Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 



One hundred years ago another big storm changed a cluster of 

 coastal communities. The storm prompted the last permanent 

 residents to move from Diamond City on Shackleford Banks to 

 Harkers Island or the "Promised Land" in Morehead City. In this 

 issue, Ann Green visits with descendants of those families, who 

 gathered for a reunion earlier this year. 



This story of strong family heritage and community identity 

 fits this holiday issue — our last issue of Coastwatch in the 1990s. 

 We also take this opportunity to look ahead, as we showcase young 

 scientists who may hold the keys to scientific discoveries in the 

 next century. And we look at water quality and inlet dynamics, 

 issues likely to remain on the forefront of North Carolina's coastal 

 agenda for decades to come. 



Stories from the past. Bragging about the kids. Planning for 

 the future. Add in some great holiday seafood and Sea Grant gift 

 ideas. I think we have all the makings of a holiday gathering for the 

 extended family of North Carolina Sea Grant. 



So, have a seat. Relax a bit before you ring in the year 2000. □ 



Katie Mosher, Managing Editor 



Contributors 



Writers: 



Ann Green n Katie Mosher a Renee Wolcott Shannon D Cynthia Henderson Vega 



Photographers: 



JimBahen D Alison Davis n Michael Halminski a Herman Lankford 

 Spencer Rogers LundieSpence Q Scott D. Taylor D Erin Wall 



