The last day for residents to prepare or flee for fear of what may lie ahead, Virginia Beach braced for what Isabel was bringing to its shores. Local stores were left with dwindled supplies as days earlier, residents began preparations for her arrival. Many residents fled while others remained to stand their ground. Regardless of who stayed, who fled, who prepared and who waited in fear, everyone was counting down to zero hour when Isabel would make her appearance. appearance.

Isabel's powerful wind and rain quickly spread though Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, and all of Hampton Roads. As many as 25,000 Virginia Beach residents alone were without power as early as 7:30 am that morning. Reports of uprooted trees, crushed cars, and pounding waves were already late breaking news by 8 am. A glance out the window showed signs of the destruction that lied ahead. Winds increased in strength as rain drops become more frequent. By 1 o'clock we started flooding, at 4 o'clock we had already kissed our fence good-bye, and by 5 o'clock we acquired easy visual access into our neighbors backyards thanks to Isabel's help. Branches and a 100-gallon plastic drum navigated their way though a sea of chlorine and leaves, as our sights remained fixed on the grandfather tree dancing violently in the wind; directly over the house of our absent neighbor.

It is early and the sun has yet to rise. Trees continue to dance as if they were entranced by the soft music of the wind left by Isabel's furry. Everything is quiet, almost peaceful, as few have yet ventured out to see the damage that has devastated our city and the East Coast. Aside from the debris, uprooted trees and crushed cars, the day has all the makings of a warm fall day. At 8am kids were already out riding their bikes and parents were tending to their yards. Temperatures rose to about 80, no clouds, and perfect waves for surfing. Everything seems to be returning to normal, but that has to wait until the 95% of the city without power has working appliances. Isabel is gone, and for those around here, it is not a moment too soon.