Labor Day weekend, regarded by many as the last hurrah of summer, is only a few days away. But damage caused by the effects of Hurricane Erin has some popular beach sites scrambling to be ready for visitors in time.
The beach at Chincoteague, Virginia, is still closed several days after Erin caused large waves and tidal flooding along the Mid-Atlantic coast. The beach “took a beating,” the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce reported after the storm, and water breached the parking lots that are used to access the beach.
The National Park Service, the Town of Chincoteague, and Accomack County are all working together, using heavy equipment to clear and rebuild the parking lots. Beach Road remains closed at the Woodland Trail. The beach itself needs repairs, too. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge reports there is some beach access at Swan Cove via the Wildlife Loop, but that is the only access point.
Assateague Island National Seashore reported that all visitor amenities at the National Seashore’s Virginia side are closed, including parking lots, beach access, and the Tom’s Cove Visitor Center. All Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) zones are also closed.
A lot of people with planned visits to Chincoteague and Assateague are wondering what they’ll find when they arrive for the holiday weekend. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge reminds visitors that there are still several days between now and the weekend. All agencies involved indicate that the closures are in place until further notice while damage is assessed and repairs made. The National Park Service says that all timely updates will be posted here.
Hurricane Erin’s impacts are being felt elsewhere on the Virginia coast, too.
The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier lost a piling, which later washed up on the beach nearby. A section of the pier is now closed for repairs.
