Delayed Dec. 18 openings announced at Cape Hatteras National Seashore visitor facilities

Due to anticipated impacts from severe weather conditions during the overnight hours, visitor facilities will have a delayed 12 p.m. opening Monday, Dec. 18 at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial.

The Seashore’s Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke campgrounds will open when possible.

A strong coastal low-pressure system is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the area this evening into tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service’s Newport/Morehead City forecast indicates that ocean overwash on N.C. Highway 12, beach erosion, and soundside flooding are likely to occur during the storm period.

Travel through vulnerable areas of N.C. Highway 12 should be avoided this evening into tomorrow morning. Vulnerable portions of N.C. Highway 12 include:

• Ocracoke Island — along a two-mile stretch of highway south of off-road vehicle ramp 59
• Southern Hatteras Island — between the villages of Hatteras and Frisco
• Central Hatteras Island — along the northern boundary of Buxton and along Ocean View Drive in Avon
• North Hatteras Island — along N.C. Highway 12, old N.C. Highway 12 and several side streets in northern Rodanthe, and between the Pea Island Visitor Center and Basnight Bridge.

Travelers should monitor road conditions at https://drivenc.gov. Beach driving conditions are not expected to be favorable at off-road vehicle ramps.

Visitors to Rodanthe should avoid the beach between the north end of Rodanthe and South Shore Drive until ocean conditions improve.

For weather-related operational status updates for the Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, visit go.nps.gov/obxstorms.