Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks town of Buxton. | Stock Photo
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks town of Buxton. | Stock Photo
Just as the Outer Banks was reopening after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, a new threat loomed in Tropical Storm Arthur.
Tourists started returning to the Outer Banks after weeks of being cooped up in their houses during the shutdown, WRAL.com reported on May 17. It has been almost two months since the Outer Banks were closed to visitors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourists could find themselves once again sheltered in place, WRAL reported.
"It's unfortunate because what are they gonna do?” Kelly Powell, manager of the Blue Moon Beach Grill, told WRAL. “They're not gonna be able to go to the beach. I'm not sure they'll be able to go shopping."
Ken Simpler, owner of The Surf Side Hotel, had been looking forward to this weekend after being closed for two months, only to see a new dark cloud overheard with Arthur.
"We usually get one shutdown a year from a hurricane, and we got Arthur coming tomorrow. It's really quite a whammy," he told WRAL.
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