Wrightsville Beach experienced a week-long mandatory evacuation during Hurricane Florence. On Wednesday, September 19, the island reopened again to both residents and nonresidents.
We were very fortunate to not have any incubating sea turtle nests left at the time Florence made landfall. This means we did not lose any sea turtle nests to the storm on Wrightsville Beach.
If you should visit Wrightsville Beach in the coming days, please remember the following:
- Do NOT go in the water. Severe flooding in the surrounding regions led to pollution of all the local rivers that run into the ocean. This, sadly, is filling the water with dangerous debris, bacteria, and toxins. Please monitor updates from the Town of Wrightsville Beach, the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department, and the City of Wilmington to see when it is safe to go in the water again. Even if you just get your hands and feet wet, make sure to wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
- Consider bringing a trash bag with you and hauling away some litter. The hurricane left piles of trash on the beach, particularly up in the dunes and wrack line, and more will continue to wash up as a result of flooding.
If you would like to make a contribution to support environmental conservation following the storm, please consider these reputable organizations with whom we frequently partner:
