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The historic Cape Lookout lighthouse stopped working after being damaged by Hurricane Florence, which fell on the Outer Banks on September 14, the Cape Lookout National Seashore announced.
On Friday, the National Parks Service intends to reopen the site to the public for three days, in a symbolic gesture "to celebrate the progress made in the recovery after the passage of Hurricane Florence". Climbers will be allowed to enter for free from 5 to 8 October, officials said. in a press release.
The lighthouse is usually closed to the public at this time of year, which is considered out of season, officials said.
"Originally, the public riding season was scheduled to end on September 16, but was canceled due to Hurricane Florence," said a statement from the National Park Service. "This will be the last opportunity for the public to climb the lighthouse in 2018".
The National Parks Service did not explain in detail how Hurricane Florence had damaged the lighthouse, stating only: "The US Coast Guard is currently repairing the Cape Lookout lighthouse (which is not working)".
Park officials, however, said the lighthouse was one of the structures to be assessed for post-storm stabilization, "including rooftop tarpaulins."
The lighthouse has withstood countless storms since its completion in 1859, as well as an attempt by Confederate troops to destroy it in 1864, says the National Parks Service.
"Their attempt to blow up the lighthouse failed, however, the explosion destroyed the oil supply of the lighthouse and damaged the iron stairs," says the park service that made the history of the lighthouse.
The Coast Guard retains responsibility for the "optics" of the structure, which is 160 feet high, while park services are responsible for the building itself, said a Coast Guard official at McClatchy.
Cape Lookout National Seashore has suffered a list of hurricane-related damage at sites such as the Harkers Island Visitors Center and the historic Portsmouth Village. Hurricane winds and storm surges have also "filled" Long Point harbor with garbage and debris, preventing ferries from reaching the pier, officials said.
On Thursday, the Island Express ferry will resume connections to the Cape Lookout lighthouse and Shackleford Banks, the park's service announced.
A flock of about 100 wild mustangs live on the Shackleford Banks and the Shackleford Horse Foundation reported last week that it still counted the number of heads. "The initial reports are positive – the flock has survived," said an update on Facebook. "Identified horses are registered, but those that are not located will remain on the list until they are seen or missing."
Mark Award: 704-358-5245, @markprice_obs
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