The sites of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will close to visitors at noon today until further notice due to the threat of damage from Hurricane Florence, and to protect public safety from the potential risk of downed trees, flooding and other hazards.
The sites include:
- Currituck Banks Reserve near Corolla
- Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve in Kitty Hawk
- Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve near Columbia
- Buxton Woods Reserve on Hatteras Island
- Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort
- Permuda Island Reserve near Topsail Island
- Masonboro Island Reserve near Wilmington
- Zeke’s Island Reserve near Kure Beach
- Bald Head Woods Reserve on Bald Head Island
- Bird Island Reserve near Sunset Beach
Sites will be assessed following the storm to determine when conditions are safe for visitors to return. Updates will be posted on the Coastal Reserve’s website at www.nccoastalreserve.net and via its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve Program protects natural areas for education, research and compatible recreation. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 42,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.