News Release

Weather-related facility closures announced at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial

Date: January 8, 2024
Contact: Mike Barber, 252-270-5389

MANTEO, N.C. — Facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, will close ahead of anticipated impacts from a strong cold front forecast to bring strong winds, coastal flooding and ocean overwash Tuesday, Jan. 9 into Wednesday, Jan 10.

For weather-related updates, visit the National Weather Service’s Newport/Morehead City website.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

• The Ocracoke Campground closed at 12 p.m. today, Jan. 8.

• The Oregon Inlet Campground and all other visitor facilities will close at 12 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 9.

• Visitor facilities and the campgrounds will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, depending on storm impacts. Visit http://go.nps.gov/obxstorms for operational updates.

Travel through vulnerable areas of N.C. Highway 12 should be avoided Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Vulnerable portions of N.C. Highway 12 include:

• Ocracoke Island — along a two-mile stretch of highway south of off-road vehicle ramp 59

• Southern Hatteras Island — between the villages of Hatteras and Frisco

• Central Hatteras Island — along the northern boundary of Buxton and along Ocean View Drive in Avon

• North Hatteras Island — along the Seashore’s southern boundary with the Village of Salvo, several side streets in northern Rodanthe and between the Pea Island Visitor Center and Basnight Bridge.

• Between the Basnight Bridge and Whalebone Junction.

Visitors to Rodanthe should avoid the beach between the north end of Rodanthe and South Shore Drive until conditions improve.

Travelers should monitor road conditions at https://drivenc.gov. Beach driving conditions are not expected to be favorable at off-road vehicle ramps.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial

• Visitor facilities at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site will close at 12 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 9.

• Wright Brothers National Memorial will close at 12 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 9.

• Wright Brothers National Memorial and visitor facilities at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, depending on storm impacts. Visit http://go.nps.gov/obxstorms for operational updates.