By Gene Galin
Siler City, NC – As Hurricane Debby churned toward North Carolina, the three guys from Pittsboro sat down for lunch at The Broken Spit in Siler City to share memories of past storms, our experiences of community solidarity, and the quirky ways some of us braced for disaster. Our conversation weaved through past hurricanes, the impact of development in the area, and how we manage to navigate life in a rapidly changing Chatham County.
Waiting for Debby: Storms on the Horizon
In the midst of a Tuesday afternoon, Eric Andrews, Greg Stafford and I gathered at the Broken Spit, a barbecue joint in Siler City. We reminisced about past storms as we awaited the arrival of Hurricane Debby. We shared our memories of close calls and lessons learned from living in a region that has weathered more than its fair share of tempests.
“We’ve seen plenty of hurricanes,” referring to the likes of Fran, Hugo, and Floyd, all of which left lasting marks on North Carolina. “It’s not our first rodeo, but you never get too comfortable. You’ve got to respect the power of nature.”
Our conversation drifted back and forth between personal anecdotes and broader reflections on the changes in the area—both the physical landscape and the community’s resilience. Hurricanes are not just natural disasters; they’re markers of time and community, bringing people together in ways that few other events can.
The Heroism in Ice: Memories of Hurricane Hugo
Eric Andrews recounts a story from Hurricane Hugo, a storm that carved a path of destruction through the Carolinas in 1989. “I remember when Hugo hit, and we were without power for a week. Ice was like gold,” he recalled. “I had just started coaching at Northwood High School, and the fieldhouse had an ice machine. I was the neighborhood hero for a few days, making runs to get ice for everyone. It’s funny how something as simple as ice can turn you into a hero during a crisis.”
We’ve all had our moments of unexpected heroism during hurricanes, whether it was securing our homes, helping neighbors, or simply being there for our families. Greg Stafford chimed in with his own tale of near disaster during Hugo. His wife was out of town, leaving him alone with their six-month-old daughter when the storm hit. “I was supposed to put her to bed in the bathtub for safety, but the first tree to hit the house was right over her room,” he says. “I’ve never run so fast in my life. If anything had happened to her, my wife would’ve killed me.”
The Winds of Change: Reflecting on Fran and Floyd
Our conversation turned to Hurricane Fran, which hit North Carolina in 1996. “Fran was the one that took down all the trees,” Eric recalled. “It wasn’t just the wind, but the fact that the ground was so saturated. It was like the whole forest just laid down flat.”
Fran’s impact was widespread, and the scars it left on the landscape are still visible today in some areas. We talked about how the storm changed the look of our towns, with entire neighborhoods transformed by fallen trees and the rebuilding efforts that followed.
Hurricane Floyd, which followed just a few years later in 1999, brought different challenges. “Floyd was all about the flooding,” Eric explained. “It wasn’t the wind that got us, it was the water. Roads were washed out, and it was like the rivers just kept rising. It took weeks for some places to dry out.”
Resilience and Rebuilding: The Aftermath of Storms
As the conversation flows, it’s clear that for these men, hurricanes are not just about the destruction they cause, but about the resilience they inspire. They talk about how their communities have always bounced back, stronger and more united than before.
I recalled working for Verizon during one of the storms, documenting the repair efforts as crews worked to restore communications in the aftermath. “We were out there in water up to our hips, putting phone lines back together,” he says. “It was dirty, dangerous work, but it had to be done.”
The stories of recovery are as important as the stories of the storms themselves. We touched on the long hours spent clearing debris, the frustration of dealing with insurance companies, and the joy of seeing life slowly return to normal. “It’s hard work, but there’s something about coming together after a storm that’s special.”
Changing Times: Development and Growth in Chatham County
Our conversation shifted from past storms to the present day. We discussed the rapid development happening in Chatham County, particularly in areas like Siler City and Pittsboro. New housing developments are springing up, and the population is growing, bringing both opportunities and challenges.
“There’s a lot of change happening, that’s for sure,” Eric said. “The area’s growing so fast, and it’s getting expensive to live here. You used to be able to buy a house for a reasonable price, but now it’s hard to find anything under $600,000.”
We touched on the impact of this growth on the community, from increased traffic to the strain on local infrastructure. There have been recent issues with water and sewer capacity in Siler City, which have become a hot topic of discussion among residents.
“There’s a lot of concern about whether the town can handle all this new development. We’ve already had issues with water, and now with more people moving in, it’s only going to get worse. We need to make sure that the infrastructure keeps up with the growth.”
The Broken Spit: A Hub of Local Life
Throughout their conversation, the Broken Spit serves as more than just a backdrop—it’s a microcosm of the community itself. Most barbecue joints are a place where people from all walks of life come together, whether they’re sharing a meal, catching up with friends, or just escaping the heat for a while.
The waitress, Zoe, became part of the story as well. She’s a local college student working her way through school, and she’s seen firsthand how the town has changed. “It’s different now, but it’s still home,” she says with a smile. “I’ve been here my whole life, and I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. But there’s something special about this place that keeps people coming back.”
Looking Ahead: Bracing for Debby
We turned our thoughts back to the impending storm. Hurricane Debby is expected to make landfall in the coming days, and while we’ve been through several storms before, there’s always a sense of uncertainty.
“You never know what’s going to happen with these things. You can prepare as much as you want, but in the end, you just have to ride it out and hope for the best.”
There are preparations that have to be made—stocking up on supplies, securing homes, checking in with neighbors. There’s a shared understanding that while hurricanes are a part of life in this region, they’re also a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of community.
The Ties That Bind
We shared stories of past storms, reflected on the changes in our community, and found comfort in the familiarity of good food and good company.
For many of us in Chatham County, hurricanes are more than just weather events—they’re a part of life.
Watch on YouTube 3 Guys from Pittsboro having Lunch at the Broken Spit talking about Hurricane Debby – 8.6.24
00:16 Discussing the anticipation and experiences of Hurricane Debby in North Carolina.
This includes preparing for the hurricane by stocking up on essentials and helping the neighborhood by providing ice during a power outage.
Also, sharing a personal story of rushing to protect his daughter during the first hurricane to hit his house.
02:27 Discussion on the impact of Hurricane Debby and power outages on ice cream sandwiches
Sharing personal experiences of power outages lasting for weeks and its effects on trees
Recalling life-threatening situations during the hurricane and working for Verizon during the aftermath
04:12 Challenges faced due to OSHA regulations during Hurricane Debby relief efforts.
Struggles faced with unusable pictures due to OSHA regulations impacting relief efforts.
Personal experience working in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby and dealing with property damage.
06:18 Discussion about clearing debris near the old Bynum Bridge
Men with chainsaws cut logs short near the Bridge
Debris was not yet washed away as it hadn’t reached a sufficient height
08:44 Preparing for a hurricane in Pittsboro
Discussing strategies for dealing with floods and dangers in the area
Sharing anecdotes about previous experiences with hurricanes and floodwaters
10:52 Discussion on selecting restaurants and Zoe’s input on why the place is always sold out
Zoe mentions people wanting to eat at the Broken Spit as the reason for it being sold out
Conversations about the Broken Spit, preferences, and future plans of a guest becoming a teacher
13:22 Discussion on redrawing district lines for schools
Seaforth being the largest high school and potential need to redraw lines due to increasing population
Area growth leading to expensive house building and impact on nearby areas like Goldston
15:44 Discussing infrastructure development in Chatham County
Conversation about the impact of blasting during construction and its effects on residents
Mentioning the water and sewer situation in Siler City and Sanford, anticipating residential development