Officials Say Hurricane Dorian Has Changed the Shape of Cape Lookout National Seashore

The Outer Banks look different on many levels as the barrier islands begin to reopen businesses slowly and clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

One such change? The shoreline itself. As the Cape Lookout National Seashore noted in a post-hurricane advisory on Monday, September 9th, "[t]here are approximately 54 new inlets cutting through from the Atlantic Ocean to the Core Sound at various points of North Core Banks." According to the release, 68 National Park Service employees from around America were assigned to respond to issues along Cape Lookout National Seashore.

While 54 newly created inlets may sound like a shocking change in terrain, "Mother Nature fills in this type of 'damage' all the time," as Cape Lookout National Seashore put it in Facebook comment on a recent post. In another comment, officials added, "[i]nlets, and other breaches through the island, will naturally fill in over time. Some may close faster than others, it will depend on conditions. If you'd like an example: Old Drum Inlet, just down island from Long Point Camp, is a naturally occurring inlet that has been opened many times over the years by storms and which eventually closes allowing vehicles to reach what we've come to call 'middle core.'"

Below, see some photos of the state of the shoreline following Hurricane Dorian's arrival.

Outer Banks visitors and residents looking for updates regarding the status of the Cape Lookout National Seashore can visit their Facebook page here.

WATCH: Secrets of North Carolina's Outer Banks

Nature in its infinitely fascinating ways has shown its resilience yet again following Hurricane Dorian. We'll be keeping this beloved nook of our country in our thoughts.