This Land, Your Land

The National Park Service opened the North Core Banks road and resumed vehicle ferry access at Cape Lookout National Seashore this week, allowing vehicle traffic for the first time since Hurricane Irene tore through the area August 26-27.

The 20 Long Point Cabins are closed for the season and repair work continues in the cabin area, but tent and RV camping is allowed on the beaches. (The 21 Great Island Cabins at South Core Banks remain open through November 28.)

Roads between the beach and the ferry landing and sanitary dump station, and between the beach and the long-term parking lot and bathhouse are open.

In addition to roads, long-term parking, a fish-cleaning station, potable water, a sanitary dump station, and the bathhouse and bathrooms are open as of Wednesday.

The camp office remains closed, and gasoline, diesel and ice are not available.

"The island was subject to a tremendous amount of erosion and overwash from Hurricane Irene and there are still numerous hazards (such as old rusted-out vehicles, and pilings) partly buried in the sand," the National Park Service news release says. Drivers should "be very mindful of the signs designating where vehicles may operate."

In addition to damaging the Long Point Cabins, the storm's overwash eroded about 50 feet of beach and filled in the ferry landing with about 100 feet of sand.