Cape Lookout National Seashore camper swamped by incoming tide/NPS
It's been a rough start to fall at Cape Lookout National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Ever since Hurricane Dorian sliced and diced the seashore's barrier islands it's been a tough place to get around, and to pitch a tent, as one camper discovered.
"The high tide yesterday provided at least one camper with a rude awakening," seashore staff mentioned last week after discovering a tent that was sopping wet.
"Before setting up your campsite, be sure to check for indications of high tide marks (wet sand, puddles of water, grass and other debris making a wrack line, etc.)," the staff advised late last week. "If you are coming camping this weekend or later this week, please note there is not much beach at this time to camp on. Water at high tide goes all the way to the base of the dunes, and sometimes through the dunes to the back road (sand trail behind the dunes) or even into developed areas such as the cabin camp area."
Comments
Imagine that -- the ocean moves. Camping on the sand before the dunes is fair game for high tide.
We also lost a number of visitor's vehicles to soft sand salt water during the time period when I worked there from 77-86. From what I have seen recently from photos posted by National Parks Traveler, the islands have changed dramatically with numerous new inlets and fewer dunes.