Park opens additional Ramps and Beach areas

Date: August 30, 2011
Contact: Incident Command Public Information Officer, 252-473-2111

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today that efforts to open additional ramps to popular park beaches are moving forward.On Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches, all ocean and soundside beach areas have been evaluated for safe access for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Beaches are open to pedestrian access throughout the park unless otherwise posted. Park visitors can expect to see some resource protection closures in effect for resource protection.

The following areas and/or ramps are open to off road vehicles (ORV)

Bodie Island Oregon Inlet Area

Ramp 2 - Open to 0.6 miles south of Ramp 4 (Note Ramp 4 is closed)

Rodanthe-Waves- Salvo Area

Ramps 23, 30, and 34 are open (Note Ramp 27 is closed and Beach is closed 0.1 m north and south of Ramp 27 for wildlife protection)

Cape Point-Buxton-Hatteras Area

Ramp 44 - Open south to Cape Point and continuing west to 0.5 mile east of Ramp 49 (note Ramp 49 is closed)

Ramp 45 - Open

Ocracoke Area (are beaches by closed ramps open to pedestrians)

Ramp 67 - Open to 1m north and 0.6m south

Ramp 70 - Open to 0.3m south of Ramp 72

Ramp 72 - Open

Other Park Facilities

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial are open and have resumed normal hours of operation.

Bodie IslandLighthouse and facilities. All park facilities on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands remain closed.(Note - this includes airports)

80 National Park Service staff from 22 parks in 13 states across the country have been mobilized as part of this emergency response to support assessment of damage to park facilities and resources and assist in reopening remaining facilities as safely and quickly as possible.

Damages confirmed so far to park and concession/permitted service providers in the Outer Banks National Parks include damaged rooftops, water intrusion either through flooding or roof leakage in numerous facilities, scattered debris and tree limbs, andmissing or damaged boardwalks, signs, posts and fencing materials.Resource advisors are in the field assessing natural and cultural resource impacts as well.

For more information, contact 252-473-2111.