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Campgrounds, cabins at First Landing State Park still closed due to storm damage

Posted at 1:45 PM, Oct 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-14 23:05:30-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Areas of First Landing State Park are still closed following the storm damage from Hurricane Matthew, according to a park ranger.

The beach and main office are still open, but the campgrounds will remain closed for at least another week due to flooding. Cabins are set to open on Monday.

The trails are also open, but visitors are asked to be cautious because many of the trails are flooded and have trees down.

"We`re going to do the best we can, and we`ll open up what we can as soon as we can. But for their safety and their enjoyment. No one is going to come out and enjoy this. No way." Park Manager Bruce Widner said.

The park is usually open year round. The grounds and trails are open daily to visitors from 8 a.m. until dusk.

Widner also said while the gates are closed, crews are working to clean up more than 58 downed trees and drain water.

The goal is for the crews to get the park back to a safe standard.

Hampton Roads started feeling the effects of Hurricane Matthew Saturday afternoon, but some residents are still facing major storm damage and flooding.

Governor Terry McAuliffe came to Hampton Roads Thursday to survey storm damage from Hurricane Matthew. He said there is extensive damage to Hampton Roads and throughout the Commonwealth.

Several state and voluntary agencies are still working to provide aid to areas impacted by the storm.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is working to assess damages, provide recovery information to citizens and support debris removal. The Virginia Department of Transportation continues to repair state roads and property damaged by severe weather.

As for First Landing, Widner said he can not give an estimate as to when the park will be back open to the public.