Date: August 31, 2006
Contact: Wouter Ketel, 252-728-2250 ext. 3005

Robert A. Vogel, Superintendent, Cape Lookout National Seashore, announces that the park staff has implemented its emergency weather evacuation plan due to the impending storm. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for portions of the National Seashore.

The area south of mile marker 41 on South Core Banks and all of Shackleford Banks will be closed to visitors and all services effective 2:00 p.m. today until further notice. At the present time, the Harkers Island Visitor Center will remain open. Closures may be increased if the watch area is expanded. "We are hopeful that the storm will pass quickly allowing the entire seashore to be open for the busy Labor Day weekend," said Superintendent Vogel.