Hurricane Sandy

Northeast campgrounds closed in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.

In North Carolina, parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore were left flooded and without power Sunday by Hurricane Sandy.

According to Park Service updates, Ocracoke Village on Cape Hatteras was flooded and without power aside from that supplied by portable generators. “Overwash has occurred on NC-12 on Ocracoke, north of Hatteras Village, Frisco, Buxton and Rodanthe,” the agency added. “Moderate to major sound-side flooding is expected when the winds come around to the northwest.”

Just to the south at Cape Lookout National Seashore, 32 visitors were riding out on the storm on the seashore’s barrier islands. “All are secure,” the Park Service reported. “The park is keeping tabs on them.”

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia also closed.

All Delaware State Parks and DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife facilities – including state wildlife areas – will close at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28 in anticipation of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy’s projected path through and impact on the Mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware.

Division of Fish & Wildlife closures include duck blinds that are located in the wildlife areas. All wildlife areas, state boat ramps and fishing access areas will be closed until further notice.

Delaware State Parks likewise will be closed until further notice. Additionally, all Delaware State Parks campgrounds, cabins and cottages will close at 1 p.m. Sunday, the normal checkout time, and they too will remain shut until further notice. Anyone who had made reservations at the campgrounds, cabins or cottages for Sunday and beyond will receive refunds due to the storm-related closure, and will have been notified in advance by Parks’ reservation system.

The Maryland Park Service is closing all State Park campgrounds and day-use areas in preparation for the arrival of the massive storm. The Maryland Forestry Service is also closing Elk Neck State Forest.

The latest weather forecasts predict a significant impact to Assateague Island from Hurricane Sandy. The campground at Assateague State Park closed Saturday evening and will remain closed until the morning of October 31, depending on the severity of damage caused by the storm. The Assateague State Park day-use facility and the road onto the island will be closed to all traffic at 12:00 noon on Sunday and until further notice.

All Maryland State Park campgrounds and day-use areas, including picnic shelters and all other park facilities, will be closed by Sunday evening. State Parks will remain closed, and all park programs are canceled, until the morning of Oct. 31. This closure period will be modified on a park-by-park basis depending on the severity of the storm and associated damage.

Full refunds without cancellation penalties will be automatically processed for all reservations for the period during which the parks are closed.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is taking steps to prepare for the high winds and heavy rainfall that are predicted if Hurricane Sandy passes through the Commonwealth.

DCR closed its outdoor facilities statewide at dusk on Sunday. These facilities and properties are expected to remain closed for the duration of the storm.

Campers already at these campgrounds had to leave by 4 p.m. on Sunday and were required to take all camping equipment with them. Following the storm, DCR recommends visitors contact individual facilities prior to beginning their trip. Campers whose reservations are being canceled by DCR’s closure on Sunday will be given the opportunity to receive a full refund or the ability to transfer their reservations.

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