HATTERAS VILLAGE, N.C. — Before you head for the beach, WRAL's Morning News is cruising the coast for a look at what is new and changing. Wondering what Hurricane Isabel did to a favorite Outer Banks vacation spot? See how far cleanup efforts have come.

In September, Hurricane Isabel devastated Hatteras Village -- it was one of the hardest hit coastal towns.

Eight months later, the village is nearing the end of its road to recovery.

There are now just pockets of evidence that the coastal village was pummeled by the storm.

Property manager Beth Midgett says a quarter of her rental homes -- 78 of them -- were damaged or destroyed by the storm.

"Many of the old-timers here say it was the worst one anyone can remember," she said of the hurricane.

For months, saws and hammers have drowned out the sound of the ocean.

"We have some very tired contractors," Midgett said.

All but four of her 280 properties will be ready for vacationers in July.

"It kind of makes you proud," Midgett said. "It's very close to being what it was this time last year."

Repairs include a new dune along the beach.

Our next stop: It is history versus progress as a zoning battle threatens to shut down a popular lighthouse. Watch Friday on WRAL's Morning News.