News Release

NPS Incident Management Team Hurricane Florence September 23 Update

Wooden stakes used to mark the high watermark each day show that flood waters have finally begun to recede.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 23, 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, 69 National Park Service employees from 29 parks and 18 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 roof damage of the Harkers Island Visitor Center has been repaired, and power has been restored to the building.

• 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 repairing the Cape Lookout Lighthouse (currently not working).

• The Les and Sally dock has been repaired.

• Initial assessments at Les and Sally, Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and Historic Cape Village are complete, stabilization, including installing tarps on roofs has begun.

• Natural resources staff began sea turtle surveys on Shackleford Banks today.

  • Shackleford horse survey is planned to begin tomorrow.

• Crews surveyed and flagged three miles of backroad on North Core Banks.

• Reservations for Long Point Cabins have been cancelled for the remainder of the season.

• Reservations for the Great Island Cabins 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 Black River appears to have crested, but water levels have just begun to recede.

• 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-