Coastal Storm Hits Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and both ocean and sound over-wash. Many areas continue to experience standing water, rough surf conditions and high tides. Park staff are assessing areas for damage and potentially unsafe conditions. All park beaches are open to pedestrian access unless otherwise posted but some beaches may be too narrow for safe passage of off road vehicles, especially at high tide.
During the winter months, rough surf and high wind conditions routinely produce life-threatening rip currents capable of overtaking even the strongest swimmers and surfers and create hazardous beach driving conditions for visitors of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Park visitors should use extreme caution, watching for debris and erosion areas.
The following Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) beach access ramps and roads are currently closed to vehicles due to deep standing water, ocean over-wash during high tides, and rough surf conditions:
- Ramps 25, 43 and 44 on Hatteras Island
- Ramp 72 on Ocracoke Island
- Pole Road (south of Ramp 55)
- Lighthouse Road at Hatteras Island is closed south of the District Administrative Office
Daily monitoring of these areas will continue. All Park Visitor Centers and ORV permit offices are operating under normal winter schedules.
The park website will be updated as conditions change:
http://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm
Please visit the NCDOT website for updates to the status of NC Highway 12 and ferry service: http://www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel/
Safety Tips
* Stay out of the water during dangerous surf conditions.
* Heed all posted signs
* Tune in to NOAA weather radio and monitor websites (National Weather Service, Eastern Dare County, NC) and local media for updated surf conditions.
