News Release

Cape Hatteras National Seashore temporarily closes stretch of beach after conducting post-storm assessments

Photo of an eroded stretch of beach containing old infrastructure.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 1, 2023

Contact: Mike Barber, 252-270-5389

MANTEO, N.C. — Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) this afternoon temporarily closed a stretch of beach between the Buxton Beach Access and the area of the Buxton jetties. Seashore staff implemented the closure after substantial post-storm beach erosion was observed and reports of a strong smell of fuel were received from visitors.

Beach erosion caused by distant Hurricane Franklin and Tropical Storm Idalia has exposed potentially hazardous infrastructure from a former military site at the end of Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton.

Seashore visitors are asked to stay out of the closed section of beach until the area is further assessed and reopened for public use.