North Carolina ports open for landside operations
The North Carolina State Ports Authority said its two ports will have normal landside operations Friday, but both ports remain closed to vessel traffic in the aftermath of Hurricane Ophelia.
Wilmington, the state's main container-handling facility, was open for landside operations Thursday. Trucks were delivering and picking up cargo. Cleanup operations were underway, and port officials said Wilmington sustained minimal damage to facilities and cargo.
The Port of Morehead City was originally scheduled to open for landside operations at noon Thursday, but that was delayed until Friday morning. Officials said the main port infrastructure, docks and cranes, do not appear to have sustained damage.
Some damage was reported to siding on warehouses and buildings, and to the roof of one administrative building.
The U.S. Coast Guard will have to complete safety inspections of waterways before authorizing the resumption of vessel traffic.