Having learned a lesson from the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, the National Park Service has taken steps to preserve local lighthouses in advance of the inevitable destruction that will be caused by Hurricane Irma.
“Once Jim Cantore said Irma was going to hit us, we swung into action,” NPS spokesperson Lynn Dixie said. “We purchased every inflatable tube available and stitched them together to make these massive life rings we believe will be able to float the lighthouses in the event of flooding. The taxpayers will be pleased to know the tubes were purchased at a steep discount thanks to an end-of-summer sale, 50-90% off, that was going on at Wings.”
The devices have been dubbed “light-rings” by locals and have been deployed around Hatteras, Bodie Island and Currituck lighthouses. The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was not deemed worthy to save.
“It’s a replica, not under our jurisdiction and judging from the sunken sailboat about 40 feet from the base, it’s not doing a very good job as a navigation warning device,” said Ranger Dixie. “If the Town of Manteo wants to preserve it, we have leftover material. We’ll sell it at cost.”