THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508220107
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Ocean View and Willoughby residents don't let too much bother them - or at least they don't admit it. A big hurricane possibly bearing down on the skinny strip of beach elicited only a few shrugs and deprecating comments from most folks last week.
Still, the windows of many homes and shops were well taped to avoid the glass breaking or shattering. The rectangular sliding glass doors of homes, taped in a star pattern, looked like some black and white version of the Union Jack flag. And residents allowed that they had stocked up on water, batteries, chocolate - all the necessities.
``I went out and bought three cases of beer, just in case, and stocked up on cigarettes,'' said Bob Saver, 46. ``That's about it.''
Saver was fishing. He held a pole at water's edge, and sat on a round white container in the high wind ripping off the water. About a quarter of his bare back was embroidered with tattoos. A gold earring hung between a close-cropped grizzled gray beard and a ponytail stretched back from a balding head.
The white container held a half-dozen fat croakers. The fishing was better in or after a storm, Saver said, because the bigger fish came in close to shore to eat food stirred up from the bottom.
Felix would not touch land, Saver said. He said he had tried to wager a friend where he worked at Norshipco to that effect. What convinced him?
``For one thing, no sea gulls were headed inland. Usually when we get a bad storm, you'll see big flocks of sea gulls, heading that way,'' said Saver, jerking a thumb toward shore and away from the ocean.
Further down toward East Ocean View, Janet Marvel said she had stocked up on food and water and such, but hadn't bothered to tape the windows.
``I figured the building would start to sway'' when the hurricane hit, Marvel said, referring to the apartment complex she lived in on the beach. ``That would tell me it was time to tape the windows.''
Some people took the city's recommendations and evacuated the area. Bettina Stubbs, a Willoughby resident who moved there in July, said she stayed with friends in Kempsville Wednesday night.
``You couldn't even tell it was a storm down there,'' Stubbs said.
Each Ocean View and Willoughby resident had to weigh the risks and benefits of staying and leaving. They may still have to, as Felix decides where it is going. Willoughby resident and activist Don Williams, who was out patrolling the streets in his Lincoln Town Car last Thursday, said about a third of the residents left Wednesday night.
Marvel said she so far has not seriously considered leaving.
``I had offers to leave, but I didn't think it was scary enough.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Surfers enjoyed the waves that Hurricane Felix stirred up in the
Chesapeake Bay last week near Harrison Boat House & Fishing Pier in
Ocean View. It wasn't all fun, however. Several surfers were issued
tickets for venturing into the off-limits surf.
KEYWORDS: HURRICANE FELIX by CNB