Assateague Island Nat'l Seashore Damaged, Now Partially Open - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, Md. -- It's been days since Sandy's fury on Delmarva, and Friday Assateague Island finally opened partially to visitors.

The flood waters have receded and new light has been shed on the damage left behind from Sandy. Tree's down, debris littered on trails, parts of this pedestrian bridge completely gone.

 In Chincoteague, it is simply too dangerous for park officials to know the extent of damages.

"The parking there at the very least is about 95 percent destroyed," Public Information Officer Rachelle Daigneault tells us.

"We are taking it step by step there's a lot we don't know yet about what type of repair we have to do," she says.

What we do know is that North Ocean Beach Parking lot is the only area safe for visitation. In the South parking lot, sand is everywhere. WMDT stood next to what was a 4 foot fence. That fence only stood several inches off the sand covered ground.

Park officials say this is natural, and the island is always changing.

"The horses and other animals have been here for 300 years and not only have they survived during that period of time but they've thrived," Daigneault tells us.

Officials say that Sandy was the worst storm the area had seen in years.

Right now all camping areas are closed, as well as pedestrian and bike trails. Also all hunting in the national seashore is closed until further notice.

For more information on closure at the park -

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