Mortimer Campground temporarily closed due to flooding
Nebo, NC, August 3, 2018 - Mortimer Campground on the Pisgah National Forest's Grandfather Ranger District is temporarily closed due to flooding.
The campground is expected to remain closed through the weekend.
Due to significant rainfall, trails and roads throughout the forest may have washouts or trees down. Please use caution if visiting the area this weekend.
The U.S. Forest Service has reopened forest roads and recreation sites previously closed in advance of Hurricane Florence. All roads and sites temporarily closed in advance of the hurricane on the Cheoah/Tusquitee Ranger District in Cherokee, Clay, Swain and Graham Counties along with those on the Pisgah Ranger District in parts of Buncombe, Transylvania, Henderson and Haywood Counties have been reopened as of today. Also reopened are sites and roads within the Grandfather Ranger District located within Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Yancey and Watauga Counties that were closed due to Hurricane Florence, and all sites and roads within the Appalachian Ranger District except one (Big Ivy Road - FS 74), within Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Haywood and Buncombe Counties.
Following Hurricane Florence, there has been an emergency closure order issued for the Croatan National Forest beginning September 13, 2018. The closure will last until December 13, 2018, or until rescinded by the Forest Supervisor.
Many Forest Service roads, recreation sites and campgrounds will be closed in order to protect public health and safety as well as resources in the wake of the storm. Closed sites and roads will reopen as they are determined to be safe for the public.
The public is urged to stay out of the Croatan National Forest until further notice to allow for assessment and emergency work to continue unhindered. Croatan Ranger District office phones are not currently working, so continue to check social media and the website for updates.
Many roads in the Badin Lake Recreation area are passable but have damage due to 10-12 inches of rain brought to the area by Hurricane Florence. Mullinix Rd (SR 1154) is closed due to a wash out at McLean's Creek between Hwy 109 and FR 544 (McLean's Creek Rd.). River Road (SR 1150) is closed to through traffic from Hwy 24/27 north to Hwy 109. Cotton Place Road is closed due to damage and flooding. Detours have been established as listed below. The detours are on gravel forest roads, so please use caution when driving. Forest staff continue to assess damages from the hurricane. Please "tread lightly" as you enjoy your National Forest.
All hunter access roads have been cleared of down trees and are open to the public. Forest hiking trails are open, though recreationists are encouraged to use caution as there may be down trees or debris still on trails. Flintlock Valley Shooting Range and Cove Boat Ramp are also open.
Due to Hurricane Florence, the water system at Uwharrie National Forest's Arrowhead Campground is down. The campground will remain closed through the weekend. Individuals with reservations will be contacted by the reservation company and receive a refund. Please do not contact the District Office for a refund that will be handled by the reservation company.
In order to provide access to the public as safety and resource conditions allow, U.S. Forest Service staff across North Carolina are currently assessing conditions of roads and recreation sites that were closed due to Hurricane Florence.
Impacts to National Forest lands and facilities varied across the state. Because of this range of impacts, anticipated re-opening dates vary by Forest. Below are a list of anticipated re-opening dates for roads and recreation sites.
These dates may vary depending on the results of local assessments. Some roads may remain closed to protect public safety or until conditions dry out to reduce resource damage. Visitors are strongly encouraged to contact the local district office for an updated list of closures before visiting the Forest.
Due to the impacts of Hurricane Florence in eastern North Carolina, the Croatan National Forest is putting in place additional road closures, effective immediately.
The extent of damage to the Croatan is currently unknown, and will be evaluated as National Forest personnel begin assessments this week. The public and/or others are asked not to attempt to travel on Forest Service roads or use National Forest lands until damages are assessed.
The health, safety, and well-being of our employees, the public, and visitors to our National Forests is our number one priority. The purpose of this closure is to mitigate risks to public health and safety, to provide for disaster and safety operations, and to protect the Forest's resources in the wake of Hurricane Florence.
The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Supervisor, having closely tracked the forecast models of Hurricane Florence, has decided to close down all remaining recreation sites, day use or overnight, in the Croatan and Uwharrie National Forests by Thursday September 13th at 12 noon.
This will include the temporary suspension of creating reservations on www.recreation.gov. Cancelled reservations, for this timeframe, will be refunded by the reservation service.
The Forest Service will close all seasonal gates, to ensure no one has the opportunity to get trapped behind gates. We strongly request that, due to expected wind and rainfall, the public not use trails or general forest areas. Emergency response times will be multiplied if an incident or medical emergency were to occur.
The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Supervisor, having closely tracked the forecast models of Hurricane Florence, has decided to close down all campgrounds and recreation sites, day use or overnight, in the Nantahala and the Pisgah National Forests by Thursday September 13th at noon.
This will include the temporary suspension of creating reservations on www.recreation.gov. Cancelled reservations, for this timeframe, will be refunded by the reservation service.
The Forest Service will close all seasonal gates, to ensure no one has the opportunity to get trapped behind gates. We strongly request that, due to expected wind and rainfall, the public not use trails or general forest areas. Emergency response times will be multiplied if an incident or medical emergency were to occur.
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