National Park Service Beach Access Report for November 28, 2006

Date: November 28, 2006
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

This beach access report is being distributed to update current information in Cape Hatteras National Seashore following the severe storm of November 22, 2006. High surf conditions and lunar tides will continue to cause beach flooding and access issues for the remainder of this week. ORV drivers are reminded to comply with posted safety closures and stay off the dunes to reduce beach erosion problems during this period of high ocean tides and strong winds. There is lots of beach debris, particularly near the tri-village area on Hatteras Island. Be cognizant of lumber with nails when driving in debris littered areas. Areas closed to ORVs due to flooding will be reassessed periodically and adjustments in access made when conditions permit.

Bodie Island District (Coquina Beach to Ramp 27)

Ramp 1 - Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area)

An ORV safety closure is 1.2 miles long, beginning at Ramp 1 at the Nags Head Village line and ending at Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach). Pedestrian access is open.

Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 – Open

Ramp 4 – open to Bodie Island Spit. Sections may be impassible at high tide.

Ramp 23 – Ramp 27 – Open

Hatteras Island District (Ramp 27 South to Hatteras Inlet)

Ramp 27 - Ramp 38 - Open

Ramp 43 -is open to Cape Point. There currently is up to 10" of standing brackish (i.e., salty) water on the road for approximately ¼ mile in the vicinity of the fish cleaning table. Road shoulders are marked with posts. Reduced speed and caution are advised. Ramp 43 parking lot is currently flooded and closed.

Ramp 44 – is currently closed due to flooding.

Cape Point Inter-dunal Roads – including Salt Pond Road and Ramp 45 Road are currently closed due to flooding.

Ramp 49 - is open with access along South Beach almost to Cape Point. Just south/west of Cape Point, there is a run-off channel from the natural overflow draining of Salt Pond which restricts ORV access the last ¼ mile to the Point. The run-off channel is 2 or more feet deep in many places, with shallower moving water near the outlet during low tide. The outlet has been impassible at high tide. The level of safety/risk in crossing the outlet at low tide is constantly changing and tide dependent. Now that Ramp 43 is open, it offers direct access to Cape Point that avoids crossing the runoff channel and outlet.

Ramp 55 – Travel south/west to the inlet is open to ORV travel. At the very end of the spit, i.e. at the "rip" area, the beach is heavily eroded and narrow from the storm and is currently closed to ORVs. The "rip"area and around it to the soundside are accessible by foot. The Pole Road, for most part, is still flooded and closed. There currently is no soundside ORV access due to eroded shoreline conditions.

Ocracoke Island District

Ramp 59 – Ramp 67 – No ORV access due to a SAFETY CLOSURE.

Ramp 67 to Ramp 68 – Open

Ramp 68 to Ramp 70 – Open

Ramp 70 to South Ocracoke Spit - Open

Ramp 72is closed due to soft sand and standing water conditions. This ramp will be re-assessed for opening by tomorrow (Wed., Nov. 29).