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OBX beach closed again after petroleum contaminated soils were exposed by erosion

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published August 4, 2025 at 7:19 AM EDT
Last September the beach near the former military site was closed after erosion from storms exposed potentially hazardous infrastructure from the old bases, and last month seashore staff noticed a strong smell of petroleum products. The sheen on the water was also seen near the beach access.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Last September the beach near the former military site was closed after erosion from storms exposed potentially hazardous infrastructure from the old bases, and last month seashore staff noticed a strong smell of petroleum products. The sheen on the water was also seen near the beach access.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials are telling people not to swim or wade in the water near Buxton.

Beach erosion has exposed dangerous chemicals near a former defense site. It’s the same strand that just reopened in June after being closed in September 2023 because of petroleum contamination.

National Park Service staff say several feet of sand washed away, exposing the contaminated soils that remain at the site.

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard have been notified of the petroleum contamination.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston