Outer Banks island split by Hurricane Dorian is reforming

Campers and surf anglers have had a hard time accessing the popular North Core Banks — known as Portsmouth Island — since it was cut into pieces by Hurricane Dorian in September.

But the sea has been restoring the island and has stitched the pieces back together to create a drivable 13-mile stretch, the Cape Lookout National Seashore reported Friday.

“A few more of the cuts/breaches/inlets that were opened during Hurricane Dorian have closed,” the park posted to Facebook.

“The island now stretches from Old Drum Inlet on the south to about mile 6 on the north (High Hills area), a distance of about 13 miles,” the park reported. “The inlet at mile 6 is still deep and impassable, we’ll have to wait and see what happens to this area over the winter. But its looking good for next year and all our surf fishers and campers.”

The rental cabins on North Core Banks have not yet been repaired and may not be available for 2020.

“All of the supporting amenities — water well, water treatment, water lines, gas lines (for hot water heaters) and septic systems were taken out by Hurricane Dorian,” the park said Thursday via Facebook. “So no cabins or common use facilities will be available. Any campers and day users will have to be completely self-sufficient.”

This video from November shows the water running through the camping area.