Hurricane Irene Update: Long Point Ferry Basin Dredging Contract Started On October 24

Dredge working to remove sand overwash that filled Long Point's boat basin during Hurricane Irene

NPS photo

News Release Date: October 27, 2011

Contact: Wouter Ketel, 252-728-2250 ext. 3005

Harkers Island, NC - Superintendent Pat Kenney reported that the dredging work needed to open the Long Point ferry basin, and for resumption of vehicle use on North Core Banks, started on October 24, 2011. Park staff anticipates that the dredging work will be completed soon. Other work required for re-opening the island for vehicle use is also underway or is nearly complete, including: marking vehicle routes and installing a new septic system for the Long Point sanitary dump station.

Superintendent Kenney stated that: "with the dredge project underway and the other work nearly complete, I am happy to report the park is on track to re-open North Core Banks to vehicle use in November."

As reported previously, ongoing work on the cabins and the infrastructure that supports them, is not anticipated to be complete before the end of the season, and the seashore has therefore cancelled all cabin reservations at Long Point for the remainder of the 2011 season.

To keep posted with ongoing progress, please check the park website at www.nps.gov/calo and via Twitter at twitter.com/CapeLookoutNPS.

Background:

Hurricane Irene, a very large 250 mile wide Category 1 hurricane, passed directly over the region on August 26- 27, 2011 and significantly overwashed the entire seashore.The storm and overwash caused the greatest physical damage at the Long Point camp, eroding about 50 feet of beach, causing damage to cabins, cabin infrastructure and filling in the ferry landing with about 100 feet of sand.