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Scott Olson / Getty Images
Billy Stinson, left, comforts his daughter Erin Stinson as they sit on the steps where their cottage once stood before it was destroyed by Hurricane Irene in Nags Head, N.C., on Aug. 28. The cottage, built in 1903, was one of the first vacation cottages built on Albemarle Sound in Nags Head. Stinson has owned the home, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, since 1963. "We were pretending, just for a moment, that the cottage was still behind us and we were just sitting there watching the sunset," said Erin afterward.
How heartbreaking the loss of this cottage must be for the Stinson family. To read a lovely piece on the home and to see a picture of it as it stood in all of its glory, check out this story from 'Our State' magazine.
Scott Olson / Getty Images
Billy Stinson searches for his belonging in a pile of debris that was once his cottage on Aug. 28, in Nags Head, N.C.
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I think we should have a national day of mourning for the loss.
This is called a "human interest" story, Jeremy. It wouldn't concern you.
Build your house on the beach, and i'm supposed to be sad when the ocean takes it away? Not gonna happen. Be smarter.
Well, at least someone did a good job building the steps they were sitting on. Hire that guy to rebuild the house. This time build it on LAND! How is that for a good idea? They will probably want the government to pay to rebuild the entire thing. These people that build houses in a flood plain, on an earthquake fault line, or, in this case out in the water, should not get one red cent from the government to rebuild. Buy your on insurance.
Oh, you mean like how certain Republican CONservative politicians who are always hollering about "Government waste" had the gall to apply for Government aid to get their vacation houses rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast?
Michigan eh? I'll remember this when a Tornado rips your house to shreds. There is no safe place to hide when mother nature rears it's face. It can happen anywhere.
I don't live in a tornado zone, have only seen one in the last 36 years. You never know where a tornado is gonna hit, but damn, build your house on the beach, in a hurricane zone, don't expect any tears when it gets blown away.
Be smarter.
The chickens have come home to roost. I'm not so callous that I cannot empathize with these folks. However, the nation LAUGHED at the folks touched by Katrina. They were poor and helpless...and the country did NOTHING for them. Now all these well-to-do folks want sympathy. Unfortunately they'll get it. They'll also get gov't monies to help them rebuild. This country if fickle as hell.
They won't get any from me, which by now seems obvious.
Do people just write down whatever comes to their head without thinking or reading about this house? The house USED to be on land. The land has since eroded away beneath it in the last 100 years and they have been able to keep this historic house standing with the risers. It was the first cottage in the area. Ignorant people.
Jeremy of Michigan is clearly a troll posting crap comments just to piss people off... ignore him... eventually he will go away
It is disturbing how many people cannot read, yet comment. They didn't build the house, it was built long before they were even born. It was on land, before the beach eroded. If you have never been to a coast, you would not understand the mechanics of beach erosion. Also, they were not rich and are not asking to rebuild...they are mourning a historical landmark.
@Just A Citizen 2 your kidding right? did you even read the story? Billy Stinson and his wife are retired school teachers, state employees that were lucky enough to inherit a house that was purchased in essentially a condemned stated and re-fortified over the years? His wife was my Spanish teacher for 3 years (had to repeat one of them), well to do??? You gotta be kidding me.
@ just a citizen what are you talking about did nothing for "them poor folks" affected by katrina? are you on dope? they only stayed behind waiting for their govenment cks(ss food stamps and such) and to loot afterwards some are still reciving help there are f.e.m.a. trailers there to this day..... do some fact checking..
@ jeremy well you know what your problem is you are snowed in 2/3 of the year so you got nothing beter to do than call others idiots for not living in a @!$%# hole like michigan too!!!
@cheryl thank you for injecting some common sence into this conversation....;)
And I'm sure that we, the taxpayer, will pay for them to rebuild it. I'm growing very weary of stories about those who live out there, have there house destroyed, and the taxpayer pays to rebuild them.
It was there for 108 years. Lets see all these new construction houses built near the Carolina coast last even half that long -- without any natural disasters. Look how bad they age even after 15 years.
108 years ago it would not have been in the water so far, since erosion has claimed a lot of the coast over the years. Just look at the Serendipity house in Rodanthe which had to be moved because the erosion had taken the beach out from under it.
Just out of curiousity Doubter, whose house did you pay to have rebuilt? I always hear about loans. I didn't know you were financing it.
National Flood Insurance Protection program is tens of billions in the red because of all the floodplain damages we've been subsidizing. South Carolina realtors successfully fought off legislation that aimed to reduce the number of rebuilds in flood/hurricane-prone areas. We spend gazillions on "flood protection" levees up and down the MS River just to cause flooding elsewhere. Doubter is spot on.
I'm a bit sick of hearing the whining "we the taxpayer." I am one of the poor tax payers, but I still have enough empathy for the tragedies of others. And I bet you, I and the other taxpayers won't be rebuilding their home. So quit trying to spin hip remarks.
Get used to the issue. It's got to be fixed. There are many who deserve help, there are many who do not.
Ever heard of "insurance"? If they did not have it, it simply won't get rebuilt unless they have cash or get a loan. What makes you think the gub'ment would rebuild it? It's always "we the taxpayer" with you people. Making up facts and whining about everything.
It's called homeowner's insurance...
Where do YOU live?
People that live that near the ocean, or above it in this case, must carry flood and wind insurance that is a government subsidized "pool". It's not "if" it will flood or blow away, but rather "when" - so these exposures are excluded under a regular homeowners policy.
Sad nonetheless, that this lovely old home finally blew away. Hope they are allowed to rebuild, would have to assume they have some form of a septic system, as it is doubtful that sort of home could be hooked up to a sewer line.
I would assume and HOPE they were smart enough to have flood/hurricane/natural disaster insurance which pays for this. Not the government.
Tanicky, the only place to get that flood/hurricane/natural disaster insurance is from...wait for it....the Government. Please, do your homework.
Even though it comes from government, it helps fellow countrymen at a relatively low price. You can't say that about some of the items that were "off the table" at the deficit reduction talks, such as military spending that is more than 33 times the highest estimated total damages Irene will cost, only Irene is a one-shot event and military spending is 33 times that year after year after year after year after year after year.
Tanicky I dont know where you're from, but I live in NC and I have... wait for it... flood/wind insurance and its not from the govt! And its not "hurricane" insurance its homeowners + high wind + flood so it covers all types of storm damage. So please, you DO your NC insurance homework.
Read your policy carefully. Just because you buy your flood insurance from your private insurer, does not mean that it is provided by them. In fact, your insurance company is merely the "middleman" to the federal flood insurance.
Sound advice. The only problem is that your flood insurance is provided by the government, which suggests that you should follow this advice.
At least no life was lost, but all those memories, all those mementos. So many homes destroyed.
Sympathies to the Stinson's and to everyone who lost property. And extra to those who lost loved ones.
Jeremy, your remark sounds very sarcastic. I hope you didn't mean it to be. If you did, you are an ass. Anytime a bit of this country's history or even a family's history is lost is a sad time. In this case it is a loss both to the country and to a family. If you are being sarcastic, I pity you or anyone else who doesn't have anything in their lives that is as important to them as this house was to so many people, not just to the family who owned it.
Jeremy of Michigan and Doubter should be ashamed of themselves.....they are downright ugly human beings. Yes, it was "just a house" and no one lost their life, but to them, it meant something....it's like losing a piece of themselves. I don't get why you have to be so inhumane? I'm not a religious person, but I hope that when you meet your maker, s/he has a few words for you.
As for where people choose to live and who pays to rebuild......first, ever heard of insurance. That's why many of us pay incredible amounts of insurance. Second, that's also why we ALL pay taxes you morons......I'm 43 and haven't survived a disaster (yet), but if I lived through one I would hope that the thousands or millions I've paid to the feds would help me. And about where "those who live out there" chose to live....what does that mean? Does it mean on that strip of land (the island), does it mean on the coast, what? I've lived in PA, MI, MA and now CA.....and all 4 places have their share of problems. I now live in a state that is prone to earthquakes (but doesn't corner the market if the 3 east coast earthquakes this week show....NY, VA, SC)....so if my area has one and I lose everything......is it my fault and serves me right?
I can't wait for Michigan to have a devastating snow storm or blizzard, maybe an extended drought or heatwave, or heaven forbid lose any more jobs......lets see how you feel. Same goes for Doubter.....whether it be hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, blizzards, severe storms, droughts, whatever.....no where is safe. That's why we have insurance, and that's why we pay taxes.
Obviously you have never seen the excellent reporting done by John Stossel regarding how much of these coastal homes insurance is subsidized by taxpayers at way below actual market risk. Folks who want to live in earthquake, tornado, hurrricane prone areas should be willing to pay the full measure of their insurance as do folks in other areas.
Your right, nowhere is safe, especially putting your house on the beach.
Well, Jeremy of Michigan, I do hope you live where there are no floods, no earthquakes, no tornadoes, no fires, no hurricanes, no blizzards, no... After all, if your house is in any of those areas and is destroyed by any sort of such disaster -- it's your own fault for having it there.
Don't worry, when it happens to Jeremy, he will understand, of course, he is just a kid, obviously.
I went through a flood in 1986, and we have blizzards every year. We have to use common sense all the time. So don't expect any sympathy from me when idiot homeowners build a house in a hurricane zone, and are shocked when it actually gets destroyed by a hurricane.
Well, Jeremy, since you choose to live in tornado and blizzard country, where your house is likely to be blown to shreds or crushed under a couple of tons of ice and snow, don't expect any sympathy from anyone when your house is destroyed. Yes, Jeremy, tornadoes will strike anywhere they want.
Jeremy-
Maybe if you had actually read the article attached you would realize the house wasn't built by the current owners but in 1903. Back then, the NC coastline was much different and the house probably actually didn't stand on the water. How about actually reading before opening your mouth and making wise ass comments.
FYI to ALL posters:
The house wasn't on the beach.
It was on the sound side.
Homeowners insurance is mantatory. As is flood insurance for any structure close to the water, or flood zone. Homeowners pay exhorbant premiums for that protection. And it's not paid to a government agency. It's paid to an insurance company, just like any other homeowner's insurance. It's the price you pay for a little piece of paradise. If hurricanes happened every week, and zeroed in on that one area, chances are, people wouldn't build there. But I gotta tell ya......it's worth the risk! The Outter Banks is a Paradise. Michigan residents will never know!
Doesn't the Bible say to build your house upon the rock and not upon the sand???? It's difficult for me to feel too bad for multimillionaires who lost "summer homes" worth millions they can still easily afford to replace...... welcome to the life most of the rest of us have to live. Life is tough and then you die.
wasn't sand once rock and mineral? Regardless, my opinion is you may be missing the issue. Its not the "house." Its the memories, the sentimental values, the history..... You quote from the bible, and then judge. I won't judge you, but perhaps you should keep reading.....
sh1111,
I totally agree. As el Capitan's bible does say, judge not lest ye be judged. He should well remember that quote too.
Yep, the Bible does say that -- but it isn't talking about a physical house. Plus, if you would use your head for something besides a hat rack, you would know that house was built on firm, solid ground. It weren't no sand beach 108 years ago.
Doubter -
Are you just as "weary" of those living inland facing the destructive power of a tornado, earthquake, flashflood, mudslide, ice storm, avalanche, volcano, just to name a few?
Lots more serious problems as a result of this storm, some probably life or death situations for people who don't have a pot to piss in.
I will not waste any compassion on the folks who have the dough or political pull to have their homes on a barrier island subsidized in some way by US tax dollars.
I'm sure these people had subsidized insurance on the structure; they won't starve or go cold in the winter.
There is most certainly more serious problems than a family who has lost a home that represents historical value, and probably sentimental value.... But the media decided this was what they wanted to write a story about. Apparently, it captured your attention. Which is what they strive for. Rather than be insensitive to the family, who has lost something of value, whether it be monetarily or sentimentally, perhaps you could advocate on other subjects that were impacted, and offer solutions. I certainly am not rich, barely am able to hold my own, but speaking negatively never makes me feel better.... Does it you?
I once read that human negativity is what causes turbulant destructive storms on earth. I think I am beginning to believe it.
My heartfelt condolences to your loss. No one can really know the feeling of owning a home in such an awesome place, unless they do. Those who don't will never have the sense of being so close to nature, so surrounded by beauty. I would give anything to have a home there, and can only hope that one day I will. The history and ecology of the Outer Banks is given to us by those who have homes there and live it. Your love of the OB does inspire.
It is a shame but once again, proof that the ocean will win every time. A shame they didn't move it to a safe spot as it was quite obvious that it was built ON the water. Everything dies. Sorry about your loss but if you do rebuild, don't do what the rest of the morons do and rebuild on the same spot...just wasting time and money. Best of luck!
Ed, it weren't built on the water -- or even in the water. 108 years ago, the beach were more than 50 yards further East........
I dont care about some rich people who lost there vaction home i care about those who lost there loved ones or those who lost ther only home dont put this stuff up here cuz if there was oil under that house the goverment would of bulldozed it over and nobody would of blinked an eye
Well thought out Chris, but you need to go back to your paper and write about human compassion and suffering. I believe you misunderstood. Now for the rest of you 3rd graders, I think we can learn a lesson from your classmate, Chris. We need to listen with our ears when I give instructions and stop trying to cover up your pee-pee pants like Chris.
Lots of folks happen to agree with Chris. Let's see these news rags report on all the people who have lost their only home.
Some people have no compassion. These are some of the most wonderful people on this earth. They have educated 3 decades of people. Billy, Sandra and Erin I'm so sorry for the loss of your adorable cottage. It was truly a beautiful sanctuary. You will come through this as others will too. These articles broke my heart. You have so many family memories there.
Mr. & Mrs. Stinson, I am so sorry for your loss, and for all these ignorant people who have no compassion for you. I hope everything works out for you and your family. For those of you who don't know them, The Stinsons are kind and compassionate people, who served as devoted teachers. All of you who criticized them, obviously don't know the pain of losing a home should perhaps take a minute to think before opining your mouth in the future. Maybe this way you can save yourself the embarrassment of looking like an idiot in front of the entire world.
What a sad state when as a human being you lose compassion for other human beings regardless of social-economic status. Ha. Then quote the Bible on top of it? Yeah, that's being a Christian. My Brother in Law was a blue collar worker who saved all his life to live by the beach when he retired. He has a tiny one bedroom place nowhere close to a million dollars. Just because there are some, doesn't mean all. Don't be so ignorant. Shame on you. We are all Americans that are to look out for each other.
beautiful story, beautiful house....so sorry for your loss!
el Capitan -
If you had bothered to read the inset within this story, and had looked at the photo of the house as it was in 1953, you would have drawn the immediate conclusion that this was a very modest house - even by today's standards. When built in 1903, it was once on a large stretch of beach front land since reclaimed by the ocean over the years. Hardly a millionaire’s summer retreat. So, don’t fret over having to spend your tax dollars to rebuild their home as current building codes would likely not permit it.
I see a lot of derision on here just because someone has a home or even if it's a summer home (so, yes, a second residence) they must be millionaires or something and so no big deal if they lose the lake or ocean front home. That's a very dim view of your fellow man, people. I just went to NYC/D.C. for the first time this summer. I stayed with some extended family in their bayfront home on City Island, NY. Their story was remarkable. They saved for some time for it, and had to wait out a previous owner (back in the '60s) and finally were able to get it....on a teacher's salary and a spouse who was in Interior design (perhaps she did well, I have no idea). I have parents who own a lake home, too, and I sure as hell know I didn't grow up a millionaire.
Grow up, jealous ones. The majority of people out there, even the millionaires, worked for what they have. And it's just as sad for them to lose a chunk of their life as it would be for me to lose my apartment in a flood or fire or whatever. It's not the physical home, but the family albums you can't get back, furniture, family heirlooms, etc. I have no problem admitting I am religious and will be praying for ALL living creatures affected by this hurricane.
Meryl-1956708,
Great post Meryl. I totally agree. I don't know what is wrong with people with so much jealousy and hatred for others. I'm just an average person who recently was down-sized out of my job. Luckily I was able to get my pension. However, I was NOT ready to retire but I certainly am not hating on others because of my circumstances.
"...a teacher's salary..." Yeah, teachers have it so hard these days. Why, they have to scrimp and save and pinch pennies just so they can afford to enjoy their Government-paid insurance........ Oh, that's right, they work hard for their $40,000 to $80,000 a year and Government-paid bennies -- yet there are still millions of people who work ten times harder every day who "happen" to be paid less than $25,000 a year.
I work part-time temporary, because it's all I can get (been this way for the last five years). I work with people who are not able to afford their house, car, monthly bills, etc while being paid more than $24,000 a year (figured on a $13/hr wage, 40 hours/week, 52 hrs/week. Note: this is not including over-time pay). But I, and millions of others, must somehow find a way to get by on a yearly income of less than $15,000................
Erm, Quacked One, last I checked I pay $190 a month for my 'government paid insurance' which only covers myself and is highly limited. People who work at the local hospital and several other area businesses have better coverage for less.
Also, I work a second job usually during Nov and Dec, then from May to August. Most teachers I know who do not have a higher second income in the household (ie spouse who makes at least double what we do) also work a second job. Do your homework before complaining. We have a 4 yr degree at minimum for what we do, pretty sure your temp job does not require one.
This is a travesty for history. Very sad for those folks and I only hope they are able to replicate something similar. When we lose a peice of history, we lose a part of our identity. Sad, sad, sad.
If they want to "replicate something similar", they'll have to buy a piece of land first -- if they can find any that "happens" to be for sale.
My heart breaks for the Stinson Family. A cottage can be so much more than a place to lay your head at night. It is a place of safety, to find peace, a place that sits in your heart as another member of the family. I hope the Stinson's and everyone else that has lost their homes is able to find peace and a safe place again soon, I know it won't be the same, but hold onto your memories and begin to make new ones.
.
What a shame so many cannot read. First, the house was built on what was the island before the ocean gradually washed it away over the course of 100 years. Second, the owners were not multimillionaires. He was a teacher, they saved and bought the house. It had sentimental and historical value. Some people are just miffed because a vacation home is not handed to them upon birth. So sorry to see the massive destruction our beautiful state has felt these last couple of days.
I pray to my God for all who lost life and personal items during this hurricane. I pray all that lost life had a personal relationship with Jesus the Christ.
I was sorry to hear the house got wiped out, and after all the previous hurricanes that it withstood, it was wiped out by this hurricane. The earthquake in Virginia might have weakened it some what and then the hurricane. I hope they do build, but a bit further inland, for their safety. I feel bad that they lost everything, except their lives, but glad they have their lives. I have read where many have died, including young children. I feel for their families. The East Coast (NC, VA, area in particular), folks are having a really bad time, with both an Earthquake, and then this hurricane. They are in my thoughts.
It doesn't matter whether the house was "weakened by the earthquake" or not -- it was washed out because of the hurricane washing away the beach and the land the house stood on. The house never stood right at the water's edge -- or on the sand beach.
"Oh Darling our vacation home has been swallowed by the sea"
"We'll just buy another with our millions of dollars"
cry me a river
It is always sad when someone looses a place they called home. However, when one builds a dwelling, they need to know there are cause and effect situations and the effect can be reduced by prudent judgement. Building too close to the ocean has possible negative effects as we see here. In this case, risk is proportional to reward. In this case also, mother nature wins. Still sad for the loser.
It is sad that this home was lost, it is sad when any home is lost. It is only a structure, and they can be replaced. People and family cannot. The gist of my comment is that anyone who owns or builds a home near ocean, lake, river or flood plain knows the risks involved. It is inevitable that in time these dwellings will be adversely affected by the elements. For safety reasons waterfront property should not be rebuilt if financed by the taxpayer.
Lessee... Don't build near water, or anywhere where water may some day flow. Well, that leaves on the top or side of a hill mountain -- where the whole hill or mountain may some day decide to move. Oh, guess that means houses just shouldn't be built anywhere at all.
I truly feel for their loss. As someone who lives in Houston, which is very close to the Gulf Coast I can empathise. I hope that East Coasters will now have a greater appreciation for what we in the Gulf States face almost every year. What about all those homes that were wiped out completely by Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Hurricane Ike? Some of those homes lost were not vacation homes but primary homes and most were not even right on the beach.
I noticed that FEMA was alot more prepared throughout the East Coast for this storm. I saw that they had physicians on hand in shelters. They even had vets for their pets. Whether this preparedness was on a local level or a federal level, I hope there have been lessons learned and that they will excercise these same precautions in anticipation of the next hurricane that targets the US regardless of whether it is in the Gulf of Mexico, or on the Atlantic coast.
Good luck to all in rebounding from this.
Let's not forget...as a fellow Houstonian....the south ain't as important as those blueblood easterners....there would have been a lot of screaming and impeaching if the damaged would have been anything like New Orleans and Galveston and the suffering that went on there especially New Orleans....they had to look to the state first...would have been interesting.