Maine's Acadia National Park is taking steps to avoid a repeat of last year's tragedy, when a powerful wave churned up by offshore Hurricane Bill swept a 7-year-old girl to her death.
Acadia is closing most of Ocean Drive where visitors gathered last year to watch the pounding waves, as well as the entire Schoodic Point Loop Road. Those Friday night closures are in addition to the shutdown of three campgrounds on Mount Desert and Isle au Haut.
About 10,000 people had gathered in August 2009 near Thunder Hole when a 20-foot wave washed over a group of 20 people. The girl died and several others were injured.
Acadia is in an area under a tropical storm warning. Earl is expected to hit overnight before exiting late Saturday morning.- AP
As the storm approaches, the Acadia staff will be activating a phone message recording that will give visitors up to date weather and sea conditions and temporary area closures. That number is 288-3338.
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