News Release

NPS Incident Management Team Hurricane Florence September 21 Update

Damage caused by Hurricane Florence at the Harkers Island Visitor Center Harbor

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 21, 2018

Raleigh, N.C. – The National Park Service Incident Management Team (IMT) is responding to national parks impacted by Hurricane Florence. At this time, 57 National Park Service employees from 25 parks and 16 states and the District of Columbia are assigned to the incident. The public should not enter parks or areas of parks that are closed until stabilization and restoration efforts are complete.

Cape Lookout National Seashore – CLOSED

• All visitor facilities and services are closed, a reopening schedule is not available at this time.

• General debris cleanup and ventilation of park buildings at Harkers Island continued today.

• Crews began clearing Harkers Island trails.

• Temporary repairs of the Harkers Island Visitor Center Harbor docks are expected to begin this weekend.

• The U.S. Coast Guard is working to repair the Cape Lookout Lighthouse which is currently not working.

• There is some damage to the historic structures at Portsmouth Village primarily siding, shingle, and window damage on several buildings.

• Full assessments of island resources and facilities will begin once boat operations can support crew transfers.

• Debris clearing will begin at Les and Sally docks tomorrow.

• Three sea turtle nests remain at North and South Core Banks each.

  • Shackleford Banks nests will be surveyed on Monday.

Moores Creek National Battlefield – CLOSED

• The national battlefield is inaccessible due to continued flooding.

• Flooding has exceeded Hurricane Matthew levels within the park by two to three feet.

• Formal assessments and stabilization cannot begin until water recedes.

• A reopening schedule is not available at this time.

• Five of the six battlefield monuments are in flood waters.

• Historic cannon were moved to higher ground prior to the storm and are in good condition.

-NPS-