Officials detonate unexploded WWII aerial bomb that washed ashore at Cape Hatteras
U.S. Navy officials confirmed a large metal object found on Cape Hatteras Thursday morning is a 100-pound unexploded aerial bomb from the World War II era.
Officials said the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit placed the bomb deep inside the beach near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access parking area.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, the unit will detonate the bomb. Officials said no damage to nearby structures is expected, but they warned people in Buxton might hear the detonation. A mass phone notification will send a warning to all nearby residents at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.
A half-mile safety perimeter has been set up around the buried bomb. The following areas are closed until the disposal unit detonates the bomb and determines the perimeter is safe:
- Cape Hatteras Light Station grounds and parking area
- Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking area and beach
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access and parking area
- Buxton Beach Access and parking area
The object had barnacles and other signs it had been in the sea for a while.
