Blockade Runner closes until spring due to extensive storm damage

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, (WWAY) — Blockade Runner Beach Resort, a North Carolina landmark and icon of Wrightsville Beach for 55 years, announced Wednesday it will close for renovations due to damages sustained from Hurricane Florence.

“We made the decision following several weeks of analysis and assessments with engineers and experts,” said Mary Baggett, co-owner and operator of the resort with her brother William Baggett.

According to Blockade Runner General Manager Nicolas Montoya the major cause of damage was the loss of the roof on the Balcony building and more limited roof damage on the Tower.

“In the areas penetrated by heavy rain, operations shift from cleanup to restoration,” Montoya said.

Baggett says the target date for re-opening is early Spring 2019.