It’s not unusual to see weather or wildfires restrict access to National Park lands. But an off-smell? National Seashore visitors in North Carolina may count this as a first. The Cape Hatteras smell has shut down access near Buxton, North Carolina.
Rangers notice Cape Hatteras smell
On Thursday morning, September 5, rangers’ noses went on alert mode. Strong petroleum smells made themselves known. This was along Old Lighthouse Beach, near the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS).
The odors are impacting the area due to the strong northeast winds and erosion. The beach erosion is exposing historic petroleum contamination at the FUDS. The Park Service reported the big stink to the National Response Center this morning, Sept. 5.
Rangers closed down beach access in the stink area. But later in the morning, after consulting with the local health department, the closure area had to be expanded.
Closure area
The precautionary expansion closes the beach from the southern end of the location of beachfront homes in the village of Buxton. These are located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road, to approximately a quarter-mile south of the old lighthouse jetties.
The closure includes the beachfront in front of the southern groin and the Old Lighthouse Beach parking areas. The closure may change over the coming days based on ongoing field observations.
Same contamination responsible for existing half-mile beach closure
The closure of Buxton Beach isn’t something new—it’s just an additional chunk of beach that’s been closed down. A half-mile of Buxton Beach was closed some years back because of this same contamination.
The Park Service is quick to point out that the total area of closed beaches is relatively small. For a size perspective, Cape Hatteras National Seashore includes 75 miles of ocean-facing beaches.
For more information on this National Seashore, click here.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! Buxton is an odd spot on Hatteras Island. There are several “normal” houses there. That is mainland styles of houses. Some even have a brick veneer and some yards have grass; very unlike most of what can be seen from highway 12. Thanks again, have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂