Forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, expect 2020 to have an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms.
News Briefs
Hayden New Restore America’s Estuaries CEO
Daniel Hayden has been appointed the new president and CEO of Restore America’s Estuaries, which focuses on the protection and restoration of the nation’s bays and estuaries as essential resources.
Springer’s Point Preserve Grows by 2 Acres
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has acquired 2 more acres for Springer’s Point Preserve on Ocracoke Island.
‘Safer At Home’ Phase 2 Begins Friday
North Carolina’s stay-at-home order will be lifted at 5 p.m. Friday as the state transitions to Phase 2’s “safer at home” recommendations.
More Wet Days Ahead: NWS Meteorologist
Heavy rains, flooding, dangerous rip currents and overwash are possible this week in some areas along the North Carolina coast, according to a forecast from National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City.
Court Denies Rehearing on Smithfield Lawsuit
The New Hanover Board of Education was denied a rehearing May 18 on a lawsuit disputing the state attorney general’s authority to distribute environmental enhancement grants funded through an agreement with Smithfield Foods.
No Criminal Action Taken Against Chemours
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has declined to take criminal action against Chemours Co. for alleged Clean Water Act violations.
Atlantic Harbor Dredging Work Complete
The dredging work was completed this week of the Atlantic Harbor improvement project to make the harbor more accessible to commercial fishermen and other boaters.
Arthur Moves Out to Sea, Winds Remain
As Tropical Storm Arthur moves away from the North Carolina coast late Monday, tropical-storm-force winds are expected to continue over parts of the Outer Banks.
Core Sound Museum to Reopen Friday
After being closed for 20 months while undergoing millions in repairs to damage caused by September 2018’s Hurricane Florence, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center on Harkers Island will reopen at 10 a.m. Friday.
Shackleford Mare, Foal Reunite After Chase
Though later reunited, a foal and a mare on Shackleford Banks were separated Friday during a chase by three visitors and Cape Lookout National Seashore needs help identifying them.
Cape Lookout to Offer More Services
Cape Lookout National Seashore officials began Friday gradually increasing public recreation opportunities, including reopening restrooms and offering limited ferry service through the park’s concessioner.
Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Dies Thursday
Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones died Thursday at the age of 61.
Florence Relief Spending Plan Input Sought
The state Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting comments until May 28 on a draft spending plan for $7.7 million in federal fisheries disaster aid for seafood businesses that lost revenue because of Hurricane Florence.
Outer Banks Parks Visitor Services to Increase
More services will be available to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial visitors starting May 22.
Hatteras-Ocracoke Route Service Increases
The North Carolina Ferry Division will increase service between Hatteras and Ocracoke from seven to 15 departures per day starting Wednesday in preparation for the Outer Banks communities reopening this weekend.
