Assateague Island OSV closed until further notice

BERLIN, Md. – The Over Sand Vehicle area on Assateague Island is closed due to storm damage.

Park officials say the recent storm and wind event has caused considerable damage to the area. The beach has been very badly scoured and has narrowed significantly in places, with many large scarps that make it dangerous. We’re told it is totally impassable in at least one place, and a large percentage of the OSV boundary markers have been lost and/or destroyed.

The OSV will be closed until further notice. Officials say they will attempt to reopen it by Saturday morning, May 14th, but it is not guaranteed to be open by then. Wind conditions do not yet allow crews to be sent out safely. As winds die down, normal tide cycles should naturally fix some of the problems, and crews will be working over the next few days.

At this time, reopening will be no earlier than May 14th, and it may remain closed longer. Officials will release further information in the coming days.