February’s big coastal storm took a huge toll on the Rodanthe Pier. On Thursday, February 12, 80 feet of the pier buckled and fell into the ocean, the parking lot and septic system were completely lost and the pier house damaged. Thankfully, the owner’s plan to rebuild, but they need our help, as insurance only covers the pier house. Their goal is to reopen by Memorial Day weekend, so they can hold their annual Kid’s Fishing Tournament.
You can help Rodanthe Pier rebuild! The pier owners have started a gofundme campaign to help raise money to rebuild the pier. Work has already begun, and folks around the country have currently donated over $10k towards a goal of $50,000.
If you’ve been to the OBX, you understand that piers are a huge piece of Hatteras history. Read Irene Nolan’s passionate piece about Rodanthe Pier and its determined owners on the the Island Free Press, then use the links at the bottom of her story or on the bottom of this page to donate on the gofundme site. Here’s a bit of Irene’s piece to wet your whistle:
“Fishing piers are a great place to meet people — to pick up fishing tips or just chat. There’s a camaraderie among those who fish the piers regularly.
And, even if you don’t fish, the pier is a popular place to visit. For about $2, you can go “sightseeing” for as long as you like on most fishing piers. Many of us probably remember evenings at the pier with the family — watching the sunset or the stars, perhaps eating ice cream purchased from the pier house.
Now those old wooden piers are becoming an endangered attraction along the coast. The years and coastal storms have not been kind to them.
Hatteras Island had three fishing piers for about a half century but is now down to just two — and one of them is threatened.”
[box type=”bio”] Read the rest of the story on the Island Free Press.[/box]
[box type=”download”] To donate, click HERE![/box]
[box] More info on the Rodanthe Pier can be found HERE.[/box]