Outer Banks Group to Temporarily Suspend Visitor Services Ahead of Tropical Storm Hermine

Date: September 2, 2016
Contact: Mary Doll, 252-473-0221

Due to potential impacts from Tropical Storm Hermine, visitor services and facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial, will be temporarily suspended. Starting on Friday, September 2, 2016, the following are in effect:

• 12:00 pm - All Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds will close until further notice.

• 3:00 pm - Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse climbs at Cape Hatteras National Seashore will stop until further notice.

• 3:00 pm - Staff will begin to cable and close ORV access ramps at 3:00 pm, with all ramps being cabled and closed by 5:00 pm. Access to beaches along Cape Hatteras National Seashore will be limited to pedestrian use until further notice.

• 5:00 pm - All visitor centers and facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial will close until further notice.

Visitor services and facilities will reopen post-storm after assessments are completed.

There will be a high risk of dangerous rip currents and shore break along all Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches. Swimming is not advisable under these conditions. For more information on rip currents safety go to http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov.

For more weather-related information, listen to NOAA weather radio, local radio, and media for updates and advisories.