ray jordan was one of the many people pulling their boats from the nearby marina. >> there are two boats in there and the owners were getting them out. they said they won't be there in an hour or so. >> much of the area was boarded up and emptied out. but folks left messages. one list smeftd storms that struck north carolina in recent years. they say you have to dig deep into history to find a storm similar to irene. >> you have to go to september of 1960, hurricane donna striking this beach as a hurricane 3 to find a storm of comparable size and intensity. >> that's why a lot of locals say they paid attention to evacuation orders. >> i remember my parents talking about hazel in 1954. you never know. i said it is better to be safe. >> those that can't afford to stay at hotels have three shelters in moorehead city they can stay at. >> there is the inconvenience of it, but they know they will be protected where they are. >> the salvation army said they have had more than 200 people spending the evening at their shelter. >> thanks, jennifer. >>> hurricane irene is barreling down the north c