UPDATE #2: 10/31/91, 2:30 P.M. EST

                       SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT REPORT


DATE OF INCIDENT: 	Beginning October 30, 1991

TIME OF INCIDENT:		On-going

PARK:			          Cape Cod NS (MA)
                          Salem Maritime NHS (MA)
                          Fire Island NS (NY)
                          Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island NM (NY)
                          Gateway NRA (NY)
                          Assateague Island NS (VA/MD)
                          Cape Hatteras NS (NC)
                          Cape Lookout NS (SC)

LOCATION:			Beaches and shoreline areas

PARK CONTACT:		Through Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities

INCIDENT SUMMARY:		

The following updates have been received from East Coast parks within the 
last hour regarding the impacts of the offshore storm.  Reports have also 
been received from Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout.  Parks not included in 
this summary had no significant updates to information presented this morning.  

A storm surge and waves higher than those previously predicted were occurring 
along the New Jersey and New York shorelines, and significant damage is 
therefore expected at parks in those areas.  An updated report will be 
prepared this evening and tomorrow morning and distributed before 8:00 a.m. 
through the Morning Report.

Fire Island NS

The superintendent, chief ranger and others were in the field this afternoon 
and unavailable for updated reports.  It appears that the island was breached 
at Old Inlet, however, and radio reports have been received at headquarters 
of extensive damage at Sailor's Haven and Watch Hill marinas.

Gateway NRA

Breezy Point Unit

Sand and water have filled the bathhouses, and the Shore Road has been closed.

Sandy Hook Unit

The unit is still closed to all but essential staff.  Access is by four-
wheel-drive vehicle only.  Beach erosion has been extensive, and there are 
preliminary reports of damage to concessioner facilities.

Staten Island Unit

The park reports significant erosion to the shoreline at Great Kills.  Much 
of the land underneath the bathhouse has been washed away, and a major 
portion of the building is standing on pilings alone.  The park has requested 
an engineer from NARO to assess the damage.  There is also concern that a 
concessioner stand may have been damaged.

Jamaica Bay Unit

Plum Beach has been severely eroded, and the roof of Building 70 at Floyd 
Bennett Field has been damaged.  Assessments are being made to determine the 
extent of damage inflicted on other buildings.

Assateague Island NS

The park reports that the ocean has overwashed and breached the island at 
numerous points and has reclaimed much of the dune line along with several 
hundred feet of boardwalk at Sinepuxent and Tom's Cove.  The hook at Tom's 
Cove has been closed, and the old Coast Guard station on it has been 
evacuated because the road and power lines leading to the building are being 
washed away.  There have been no impacts to visitor facilities yet, but some 
water damage to the McCabe House and associated boat house are anticipated as 
the protecting dune that was in front of the buildings is now gone.  ORV 
zones have been closed and will remain closed for at least a week.  Some 
roads have been closed as well.  Overflights of the park are being made this 
afternoon in order to more fully assess the storm's impacts.

Cape Hatteras NS

The park began experiencing severe conditions and overwash due to the storm 
on Wednesday.  NC 12, the highway which runs the length of the park, was 
underwater at two locations on Wednesday - the first north of Pea Island NWR, 
the second just north of Rodanthe.  As of the last report from the park, the 
road was still covered with water, sand and debris, which made it impossible 
to make a full assessment of damages.  The Cape Hatteras lighthouse has not 
been directly damaged, but a major section of sandbag barrier on the 
shoreward side has been severely damaged and about 15 feet of the dune just 
north of the lighthouse has been lost.  About 20 to 30 feet of the newly 
constructed boardwalk has been swept away, and at the time of the report the 
park expected that the newly-constructed observation deck north of the 
lighthouse would fall into the sea at the next high tide.  Sea water is at 
the porch level at the Hatteras Island visitor center and the principal 
keeper's quarters.  Approximately one half the length of the Rodanthe fishing 
pier has been lost, as have some off-road vehicle ramp sections, all Coquina 
Beach boardwalks, part of the Coquina Beach restroom facility ramp, and much 
of Coquina Beach's north parking lot.  

Cape Lookout NS

Wind and tides have done some damage to dunes and overwash has occurred, but 
there have been no other impacts to park resources or facilities.  The park 
remains open.  Visitors are being urged to stay vigilant and careful of high 
waves and overwash areas.

Report prepared by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO in conjunction
                   with John Lynch, Ranger Activities, NARO, and Bill
                    Springer, Ranger Activities, SERO