THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 21, 1994 TAG: 9411210053
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Outer Banks officials said Sunday that despite the damage inflicted by Hurricane Gordon, roads and facilities will be in good shape for visitors planning to spend the Thanksgiving holiday on the North Carolina beaches.
``Everything's ready,'' said Charlie Hartig, Dare County spokesman, after he and County Manager Terry Wheeler toured the areas hammered by the hurricane.
``Highway 12 is open all the way up and down the Outer Banks,'' Hartig said, ``thanks to the crews from the Department of Transportation, and all of our other facilities are fine.''
Highway 12, the only road through Hatteras Island and Ocracoke, was flooded in numerous places and closed for more than 24 hours north of Rodanthe when the surf carved a path under the pavement.
State Sen. Marc Basnight, the leader of the Senate and a native of Manteo, said Sunday that he plans to call top state and federal officials to a Hatteras Island meeting to discuss ways to improve Highway 12. The two-lane strip takes a beating whenever winds send big waves over the beaches.
``We have got to do something to help the people who have no other way to travel except on that road,'' Basnight said. ``I want to get the governor and federal highway officials down here to see what can be done.''
Damage estimates for the Outer Banks are expected to be available early this week. ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photo by Drew C. Wilson
"Highway 12 is open all the way up and down the Outer Banks," Dare
County spokesman Charlie Hartig said Sunday. Parts of the road has
been flooded by heavy surf caused by Hurricane Gordon.
KEYWORDS: HURRICANE GORDON NORTH CAROLINA by CNB