Officials at Cape Hatteras National Seashore expanded beach closures this week as a precaution against the “strong” smell of oil at the former military installation, according to the National Park Service.
The beach closure is approximately 0.25 miles long and runs from the coastal homes at the end of Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton, North Carolina to the old lighthouse pier.
Authorities closed off part of the beach after several feet of sand washed away from the area in front of the Buxton Former Defence Site (FUDS) military installation, exposing petroleum-contaminated soil and groundwater.
Officials said the oil comes from the site's historical military use.
They added that erosion had also uncovered large amounts of “hazardous” Navy and Coast Guard infrastructure left underground, including concrete, rebar, electrical wires, PVC and metal pipes, metal fragments and cables.
The NPS urges people visiting Cape Hatteras National Seashore to heed signs around beach closures and to stay outside those areas.
Officials said the closure could change in the coming days based on ongoing observations at the scene.
