Hurricane Irene draws out thrill-seekers despite dangers and government warnings

Even as the government pressed people to stay inside during Hurricane Irene’s trek along the East Coast, people risked injury and loss of property outdoors.

5 Seconds

00:00

Aug. 27, 2011

As Hurricane Irene spins north, a lone figure stands in the surf of the Chesapeake Bay near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia Beach.

Vicki Cronis-Nohe / Virginian-Pilot via AP

Aug. 26, 2011

Emma White, 8 of Frisco attempts to jump over a foamy wave in the rough surf generated by Hurricane Irene's approach. She misjudged both the height and power of the wave and ended up in the water. She said the mishap didn't scare her but also said she wouldn't be going back near the water anytime soon.

Chuck Liddy / Raleigh News & Observer

Aug. 27, 2011

One of two people rescued from a sailboat, right, uses a line to get onto the beach on Willoughby Spit in Norfolk on Saturday morning. The pair were rescued from the boat as it foundered in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Bill Tiernan / Virginian-Pilot via AP

Aug. 27, 2011

Kayla Mejia laughs as her umbrella turns inside out from the winds from Hurricane Irene as she visits City Dock in Annapolis.

Susan Walsh / AP

Aug. 28, 2011

Ken Thompson, right, and Ray Morrison make their way toward their house along a seawall as winds from Tropical Storm Irene batter the shore in Fairhaven, Mass.

Winslow Townson / AP

Aug. 27, 2011

Two men wear garbage bags to shield themselves from Hurricane Irene's heavy rain in Virginia Beach.

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

Aug. 26, 2011

Ron Briethaup, 48, of Buxton, N.C., works to free his fiancee's truck after it got stuck on a flooded section of Highway 12 just north of Hatteras Village. Conditions had been improving, so she had gone out to run an errand, but hurricane-force winds picked up again with no warning and she became stranded. Briethaup came to the rescue and dug the wheels out by hand as the wind howled at 77 mph. "I knew I could get it out,” he said. “I sure wasn't going to leave it here in the middle of the road."

Chuck Liddy / AP

Aug. 27, 2011

Jackie Sparnackel has to abandon her van and her belongings near the Frisco Pier after she drove up to see how the storm-battered structure was doing Saturday in Frisco, N.C. Friends tried to tow her out, but she was caught in an overwash.

Chuck Liddy / AP

Aug. 27, 2011

Two unidentified boys get back on their bikes as they leave the beach while being blasted with sand and rain from strong winds on the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Aug. 27, 2011

Yve Morris, 21, shields her face as she braves the blowing sand as the effects of Hurricane Irene are felt in Nags Head, N.C.

Gerry Broome / AP

Aug. 27, 2011

As Hurricane Irene spins north, Jeff Grant, center, braces against the wind coming off the Chesapeake Bay with Chris Polk, right, while Grady Spears tries to run against a gust early Saturday in the Chic's Beach section of Virginia Beach, near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Vicki Cronis-Nohe / Virginian-Pilot via AP

Aug. 27, 2011

Two men are knocked off their feet by gusting winds near the boardwalk area of Virginia Beach.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Aug. 27, 2011

A group of sailors attached to a ceremonial guard unit run through the streets of the nation's capital during a pouring rain in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

Win McNamee / Getty Images

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.