Although the storm has passed, and most beach access ramps in Cape Hatteras National Seashore are open for use as of Friday, Nov. 24, a few remain flooded and closed until waters have receded enough to allow safe passage. Ramps that are currently open include ramp 2 (Coquina Beach) on Bodie Island; on Hatteras Island, ramps 23, 27, 30, 34, 38, 49 and 55 are open; and on Ocracoke Island ramps 68 and 70 are open. Still closed and under water are ramps 4 (Oregon Inlet-Bodie Island), ramps 43-45, (Cape Point-Hatteras Island, including a portion of the entry road to those ramps), and ramps 59, 67, and 72 (Ocracoke Island). The Pole Road on Hatteras Island is also closed due to flooding. At 3:00 p.m. today, the popular Cape Point fishing area on Hatteras Island was accessible from the south beach (ramp 49) at low tide. However, it is likely that high-tide access will continue to be unavailable for awhile.
In many areas throughout the National Seashore, beach boardwalks have been heavily damaged or washed away. There is also significant beach erosion and a large amount of debris on the beaches and in the water.
NC Highway 12 south of Oregon Inlet was reopened as of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 23, and ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands resumed at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, 2006.
Park Visitor Centers in the Outer Banks Group of parks reopened on Thanksgiving Day and are operating during regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). Visitor Centers are located at Wright Brothers National Memorial (252-441-7430), Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (252-473-5772), and in Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Bodie Island (252-441-5711), Hatteras Island (252-995-4474) and Ocracoke Island (252-928-4531). For information about the parks and updates regarding current conditions, contact one of the park’s Visitor Centers.
Other Outer Banks Visitor Information Contact Numbers:
Outer Banks Tourist Bureau 800-877-629-4386
Ocracoke Tourist Information 252-928-6711
Ferry Schedules 800-BYFERRY
Road Conditions, NC 511
Road Conditions, VA 800-367-7623
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
