Park Service Advises Caution on East-Facing Beaches Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials have issued a warning to visitors using its east-facing beaches, urging them to exercise caution through Saturday due to persistent northeast winds and breaking waves that could lead to coastal erosion and damage to beach houses. The advisory, released late Tuesday afternoon, highlights the potential risks posed by the weather conditions, which are expected to persist over the coming days. The National Weather Service has forecasted strong winds, dangerous rip currents, and longshore currents along much of the beaches stretching from Duck to Cape Lookout, as well as portions of Onslow County. These conditions are anticipated to create waves in the surf zone that could reach up to 8 feet in height at times. The National Park Service emphasized that these factors could contribute to the partial or full collapse of one or more threatened oceanfront structures in the areas of Buxton and Rodanthe. In the advisory, officials stated that the presence of these vulnerable structures near the oceanfront poses a serious risk to visitors. They warned that walking along the beach or wading in the surf could expose individuals to life-threatening dangers. The closure of Buxton’s entire beachfront was also reiterated, as the structures are considered a public safety hazard. The National Park Service noted that a public safety closure remains in place for a stretch of beach extending from the south end of Buxton to just north of off-road vehicle ramp 43. The advisory underscores the need for visitors to avoid areas where structures are at risk of collapse.#national_weather_service #buxton #rodanthe #cape_hatteras_national_seashore #cape_lookout
