News Release

Hurricane Florence at Cape Lookout National Seashore - Advisory 2

Date: September 12, 2018
Contact: B.G. Horvat, 252-838-8906

Harkers Island, NC –Cape Lookout National Seashore remains closed to the public based on the potential threat of Hurricane Florence.  This decision is to ensure the safety and protection of the public, park staff, and facilities. 

The latest National Weather Service forecast indicates that Eastern North Carolina should be prepared for impacts from Hurricane Florence.  Below are key points from the latest NWS forecast:

• Florence’s max winds are currently at 140 mph.

• Forecast landfall would be sometime late Thursday / early Friday morning as a major hurricane. Significant changes to this timing are possible based on forecast track and motion changes.

• Florence is expected to be a large storm when making landfall. Impacts will occur well away from the actual center of the storm.  

• The combination of abnormally high coastal water levels, additional storm surge, and extremely heavy rainfall, will produce extremely dangerous flood levels.

• There is Moderate potential for Tornado activity in the area.

• There is a Moderate to Extreme storm surge threat to the immediate area.

In preparation for Hurricane Florence, the park closed all facilities and secured government property, effective September 10, 2018 at Noon.

• Shackleford Banks: Closed to overnight guests and day use visitors.

• South Core Banks: Great Island cabin camp, Cape Lookout Village, the Keepers Quarters, the Light Station Visitor Center and all remaining facilities are closed to overnight guests and day use visitors.

• North Core Banks: Long Point cabin camp and Portsmouth Village is closed to overnight guests and day use visitors.

• The Harkers Island Visitor Center (Park Headquarters), Beaufort Visitor Information Center is also closed to visitors until further notice.

This will serve as the last park advisory until after the storm as passed.

The National Park Service will be following ongoing developments with Hurricane Florence.   We will update and post any new information, as needed, on the park Storm Watch page on our website at http://go.nps.gov/stormwatch and via Facebook and Twitter at twitter.com/CapeLookoutNPS.