Currie, NC – On Monday, October 15, 2018, Moores Creek National Battlefield will reopen to the public for the first time since Hurricane Florence hit the area nearly 1 month ago. Nearly 2/3 of the park flooded, with some parts receiving over 15′ of water in places. The park remained flooded for over two weeks. Park staff were able to get in last week and begin the long recovery process.
The park’s Visitor Center, Administration Building, and Maintenance Building remained dry and did not receive any damage. However, the Patriots Hall Community Building received over 5′ of water in it. The boardwalk, a part of the History Trail that crosses over Moores Creek and the swampy terrain, received some tree damage and will be closed for repairs. The rest of the History Trail, Moores Creek Bridge, Battlefield, and Monuments all survived the flood water with minimal to no damage. The park did receive quite a bit of damage to the Patriot’s Field demonstration Area, the park’s primary interpretation area for Stories Beyond the Battlefield programs. The garden, cannon storage shed, Foodways hearth and demonstration shed all received damage or were destroyed. The park, in its recovery process, will be strategic in how we rebuild and move forward. At this time, the picnic area, Patriots Hall, demonstration area, and scout campsite are closed to the public for the foreseeable future until repairs can begin in these areas.
Beginning Monday, the park will resume normal operations- the park will be open 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Sunday; the Visitor Center will be open Wednesday – Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm. The park will be closed on all Federal Holidays.
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