News Release

NPS Incident Management Team Hurricane Florence September 22 Update

Flood waters nearly reach the roof of the picnic pavilion near Patriots Hall

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 22, 2018

Contact: Incident Information Officer

Raleigh, N.C. – The National Park Service Incident Management Team (IMT) is responding to national parks impacted by Hurricane Florence. At this time, 61 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 closed areas of parks 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.

• Minor damage to the roof of the Harkers Island Visitor Center has been repaired.

• Harkers Island trails are 80% clear, the boardwalk remains closed due to damage.

• Temporary repairs of the Harkers Island Visitor Center Harbor docks are underway.

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

• Crews began stabilization work at the Les and Sally area today including installing tarps on damaged roofs and making emergency repairs to the dock.

• An additional viable sea turtle nest was found on South Core Banks; for a total of three on North Core Banks and four on South Core Banks

  • Assessments have not been completed on Shackleford Banks yet.

• Long Point Cabin Camp will be closed for the remainder of the 2018 season.

• Reservations for the Great Island Cabin have been canceled through October.
  • Cancellations may be extended depending on the results of full assessments. An update will be provided once assessments are complete.

Moores Creek National Battlefield – CLOSED

• The national battlefield is inaccessible due to flood waters, which have exceeded Hurricane Matthew levels.

• 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-