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East Coast National Park Units Bracing For Hurricane Irene

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Published Date

August 25, 2011

Hurricane Irene continues to be tracking to make landfall along the North Carolina coast, where officials at Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout national seashores are closing down their parks and shuttering their facilitieis. NOAA graphic as of 8 a.m. EDT Thursday.

As Hurricane Irene continues plodding towards the Eastern Seaboard, units of the National Park System up and down the coast are preparing for the storm.

* In Florida at Biscayne National Park, where officials are expecting storm conditions, the park's islands have been closed to visitors; park waters remain open, as will the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and park headquarters.

* Both Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore on the North Carolina coast are closing down operations and banning beach access.

* While the hurricane is aiming at the moment for the North Carolina coast, at Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia officials are putting their hurricane plan into effect and keeping an eye on Irene. The park could close some operations as soon as Saturday, depending on the storm's track.

* Also in Virginia and Maryland, officials at Assateague Island National Seashore are preparing for the storm. The park is working with cooperating agencies on the timing of closures.

* Farther north, officials at Gateway National Recreation Area in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area have put the NRA's hurricane plan into effect; at Fire Island National Seashore, officials have implemented their hurricane plan and park and facility closures will begin Friday, and; at Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, officials are preparing for the storm.  

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Comments

Submitted by admin on August 25, 2011 - 2:36pm.

"Both Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore on the North Carolina coast are closing down operations and banning beach access."

that is because of the birds though...


Submitted by admin on August 25, 2011 - 11:56pm.

I was just there a couple weeks ago camping. Such a beautiful place. I look forward to visiting again soon. I was curious if you do anything to protect the wild ponies from the hurricane or because they are wild you leave them be? 


Submitted by admin on August 26, 2011 - 2:18pm.

This comment is regarding assateague island national seashore. Does anyone know the procedure used on protecting the ponies and other wildlife in this area during extreme weather if any?


Submitted by Barky on August 26, 2011 - 7:33pm.

The ponies are left to fend for themselves, as they've done for generations.


Submitted by admin on August 27, 2011 - 1:06pm.

I figured that was the case. It makes sense. Thank you for the input.


Submitted by admin on August 27, 2011 - 2:05pm.

"The ponies are left to fend for themselves, as they've done for generations."  Nature is so cruel:).
How refreshing, really!


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