Some Brace for Earl, Others Embrace Earl

Editor's Note: Middletown Police closed Second Beach and surrounding low-lying roads to all surfers and onlookers as of 2 pm Friday and then re-opened to surfers Saturday at 9 am.

By Friday afternoon, the gusty heavy rains started to bucket down and latest forecasts showed storm system Earl cruising north off the coast of Delaware, weakened to a Category 1 Hurricane, and heading for Southern New England as a powerful storm with tropical winds later tonight.

Still, given the nature of the storm's uncertain path this week as it barreled up the Atlantic seaboard, locals remained watchful and prepared—hoping for the best and preparing for the worst in case of any last-minute movement westward closer to shore and churned up stronger hurricane winds.

The brunt of the storm was expected to hit around midnight, with the strongest storm surge predicted around 6 pm Friday, producing waves of 11 to 14-feet.

By Friday afternoon, emergency town officials had already taken a number of precautions, including closing the beaches Friday and Saturday.

Surfers were initially allowed to ride some good waves early Friday, but by 3 pm, local authorities determined it was unsafe and began warning newly arriving surfers that if they entered the water, they would be arrested, police confirmed.

Within the last 36 hours, town officials had also closed several roads to through-traffic where flooding is predicted, ordered the removal of boats from the Third Beach mooring area, established a storm shelter at the Gaudet Middle School scheduled to open at 4pm Friday, ordered the evacuation of the Second Beach Campground, and staffed extra police and fire department personnel for the storm.

Middletown Emergency Response Director and Fire Department Chief Ronald Doire officially activated the Emergency Management Team Thursday evening and set up of the EMA Command Center at the Middletown Police Department to officially open at 6pm Friday, so that Public Works, town administrators, and Police and Fire department personnel can work together to respond to storm situations accordingly.

Earlier in the week, the Department of Public Works had also made several rounds on town roads, cutting back trees by power lines in hopes of limiting power outages from fallen limbs in high winds, while the Parks and Recreation Department had beach equipment and structures moved to higher ground.

"We've taken all the steps we can at this point," said Chief Doire late Thursday night. "At this point, we watch the storm closely, still try to be proactive wherever we can, but go where we need to go and do what we need to do."

Local officials also spent the last few days distributing storm preparation pamphlets, activating the CodeRED telephone and email system for residents to receive automated messages and updates, and encouraging residents to secure their homes.

At the Stop & Shop, extra workers were seen restocking bread and water--New England storm staples--as fast as shoppers were loading them onto their carriages.

Around town, residents were tying down lawn furniture or moving them indoors, and preparing for power outages.

On Thursday, Dalinda Aguiar, a Mitchells Lane resident, squeezed in a few hours at the beach under sunny skies but said she and her husband were already preparing the generator in the event of a power outage, mainly to keep the family's refrigerator working.

"Out on Mitchell's Lane, we're always losing power in the storms," said Aguiar, noting the family lost power as late as three weeks ago during a mild storm. "We're used to it."

At the local farms, pickers scrambled to save apples and other sensitive crops before the storm's heavy and destructive winds arrived, while others secured their farm animals indoors and ensured their safe supplies of food and water, for several days if needed.

Aguiar's family also maintains a "miniature farm" with goats, chickens, and rabbits, so the other important step in storm preparation for them involves securing and ensuring the safety of the animals: They move all the animals into their homes or sheds, secure any doors or gates, and make sure they all have plenty of extra water and food for several days.

Her mother, Lena Gomes, a Portsmouth resident at Melville Mobile Park, said she's also stocked up and prepared as best as she could. "I'm always concerned," she said, noting that mobile homes are particularly vulnerable in high winds.

Similarly, seasonal residents who left Second Beach Campground took extra steps to secure their property before evacuating, by bringing some outdoor items inside the RVs and finding other creative ways to secure items outside.

Donna Sampson of Cumberland, who's camped there every summer since 1974, proudly displayed her handiwork, where she dismantled her children's beloved hand-made wooden swing set and carefully screwed it to the floorboards of her patio. "That's not going anywhere," she said.

As Earl approached, others embraced opportunities for more summer fun while the going was good.

In the days leading up to the main event, while other boat owners removed their boats from Third Beach moorings to safer harbors or off-shore storage, sailing enthusiasts rushed to the water's edge to launch wind-powered vessels.

Lorri Darragh of North Attleboro launched her 16-foot sailboat with great excitement Thursday to spend time with her teen son on the water, noting the beautiful skies above and not dwelling on the storm's arrival Friday. "This is perfect. We were here yesterday and the wind was great. We're making the most of this great wind here while we can, as long as we can!"

Before police closed the beaches to surfers around 3 pm, dozens of boarders began streaming to and from Second Beach beginning early Friday morning, especially since surf reports were predicting waves between 11 and 14 feet around the peak surge by 6pm.

Said Doire Thursday night, "We do our best to let them know the risks. Long after the season is over and the beaches are closed, they're out there year-round in the storms, even through the winter. We ask them to be safe, watch the reports and know what they're getting into. And it seems like they do take it very seriously."

On Thursday, Morgan Helme of Middletown was hoping to catch some good waves and knew lots of surfers who'd be out there. "It's surf at your own risk," said Morgan. "Every surfer is going to be out there. You're going to see a lot of the pro's from all over coming out here this weekend. This is what we wait for all year. This is what we do."

Island Surf & Sport proudly updated its lighted marquee Thursday night to read, "Bring it on, Earl!"

Before police closed the waters to surfers Friday, the surfers who braved the waves said they knew the risks involved and tried to be safe. Others knew their limits, kept their boards at home and decided instead to "just play" out there with some boogie boards and swim fins close to shore.

"Most surfers I think have a healthy respect for the ocean," said Chris Drance of Bristol, who's surfed these waters for 40 years. "You understand the dangers going out there."

Few surfers were seen close to shore Friday and instead were specks on the horizon, paddling about a quarter-mile out to catch the good waves off-shore.

"It's breaking way, way out there far away from the shore today," said Drance, after returning from several hours on the water. "You follow the rocky shoreline to the right under Purgatory chasm there and the rip current basically pulls you right out, way out there, and from there, you can catch your good waves."

By early afternoon Friday as the rain arrived and winds picked up, dozens of surfers were arriving at Second Beach for some of the largest waves they've seen so far this summer, traveling from all over Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts for the main event.

"Wow! Look at the size of that!" was a common expression heard as cars pulled up and surfers stepped out.

"Supposed to be twice the size by tonight, yo'," quipped another.

"I won't be touching that,'" his friend shot back.