Orient Beach State Park Reopens

Everything is back to normal at after Tropical Storm Irene After three solid days of clean-up, park officials opened the park to the public at 8 a.m. on Thursday morning.

Park Director Sue Wuehler said that the tides floods were very high and the main beach, picnic and park areas were completely under water.

“Once the picnic tables are underwater, you really don’t know when you can open,” she said. “But we’ve had a couple of nice days after the storm, and it really was all tide — and it receded.”

The entrance road, which was also damaged by undermining waves, is now passable, Wuehler said.

“The asphalt did collapse but the DOT came out and patched it all up,” she said.

Wuehler, who lives in a house on park grounds, had to evacuate to a friend’s house in Southold while Irene passed through. All equipment was brought up to higher ground and very little was damaged, she said.

“We’re looking forward to a very sunny and fun Labor Day Weekend,” she said.