Duneless Assateague Photos and movies I took on Assateague Island on 2011 September 4th, six days after Irene hurricane

On 2011 September 4th, six days after the Irene hurricane, I went to Assateague island to see hurricane's impact on Maryland coast. As Worcester county ( the easternmost part of Maryland, where Ocean City and Assateague island belong to ) was evacuated, I expected to see a damage to property and nature and was surprised when I found everything untouched as nothing happened. No broken trees, no torn power lines, no damage to building or roads. Even the amusement park in Ocean City was intact and operating. I think the evacuation of the entire county was unneeded precaution.       No damage seen until you get to the island...       The face of Assateague has really changed...       Well, it is an exaggeration to call it "duneless" and say that the island's dune community was completely destroyed but it definitely suffered a significant damage because of the hurricane... The dunes which were not supported well enough by the grass were almost completely demolished and just leftovers were left. The only survivors were those ones which were good supported by the grass, but even they became much lower than they were before.       It looks like the island was the natural shield which protected the mainland and city from the hit of the hurricane...       I have never seen Assateague that flat and wiped...       Also, I have never seen that many people at the beach there... There was so many that the park rangers allowed only Maryland residents to MD state park beach, turning all others to the national park nearby...       The weather was perfect : sunny ( windy enough through... ), air ~80F/27C, water ~72F/22C...       Each image can be increased by a click

Photos :

Movies : This is a panorama of Assateague Island taken from its toppest point ( the noice is the sound of wind )

In the conclusion, the photos of a curious mushroom I encountered at Appalachian Trail on 2011 September 3rd Thank you, and have a nice day !