News Release

NPS Incident Management Team Hurricane Florence September 29 Update

A member of the Incident Management Team points to the high water mark on Patriots Hall. The 5 1/2 feet of flood waters have receded but access to the site is still by canoe.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 29, 2018

Contact: Information Officer

Harkers Island, N.C. – The National Park Service Incident Management Team (IMT) is responding to national parks impacted by Hurricane Florence. At this time, 72 National Park Service employees from 34 parks and 19 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 (EXCEPT FOR BEAUFORT VIC)

• Crews have completed 165 assessments of facilities and assets.
• Archeologists have assessed 39 archeological sites.
• Crews placed signs on Back Road near the pedestrian beach on South Core Banks.
• Emergency stabilization of the Portsmouth and Long Point areas continued.
• The Beaufort Visitor Information Center is open.
  • Hours of operation are daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
• The Harkers Island Visitor Center will reopen on Tuesday, October 2.
• Reservations for Long Point Cabins have been canceled for the remainder of the season.
• Reservations for the Great Island Cabins have been canceled through October 25.
  • Cancellations may be extended; an update will be provided when available.   

Moores Creek National Battlefield – CLOSED

• Flood waters continue to recede, but park roads remain flooded.
• Five and a half feet of water have receded from Patriots Hall and crews have begun airing it out. Access is still via canoe.
• Crews have cleared 90% of hazard trees, downed limbs, and other debris near the visitor center.
• Formal assessments and stabilization cannot begin until water recedes.
• A reopening schedule is not available at this time.

-NPS-