The Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve in Kitty Hawk and the Buxton Woods Reserve on Hatteras Island reopened to visitors today after closure due to Hurricane Dorian.
Except for the Bald Head Woods Reserve, all N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve sites have now reopened after the storm. The Bald Head Woods Reserve on Bald Head Island remains closed to visitors to protect public safety until immediate hazards are addressed.
The other open sites are:
- Currituck Banks Reserve near Corolla,
- Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve near Columbia,
- Permuda Island Reserve near Topsail Island,
- Zeke’s Island Reserve near Kure Beach,
- Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort,
- Masonboro Island Reserve near Wilmington, and
- Bird Island Reserve near Sunset Beach.
Visitors should exercise caution when visiting the sites and be aware of the risk of potentially hazardous conditions associated with storm damage. Grounded vessels have been documented on several Reserve sites; visitors should refrain from disturbing the vessels to protect personal safety and respect vessel owners’ personal property while removal efforts are underway.
Updates will be posted on the Coastal Reserve’s website at www.deq.nc.gov/coastalreserve and via its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve protects natural areas for education, research and compatible recreation. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 44,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.