Tropical Storm Arthur moves out, but forces newly reopened businesses to close for a day

A gray wall of clouds closed in on the Outer Banks as the surf whipped into a lather.

Wind and rain kept the beaches mostly empty.

But at times, the rain let up and people set out to make footprints in the sand.

Just across Oregon Inlet from Nags Head, floodwater and sand swept over Highway 12, stalling traffic as workers cleared the road.

This marks the first full week the Outer Banks are open to visitors after closing for coronavirus precautions. "You know, we've been waiting all spring to get open," said Gary Oliver, who has owned the Outer Banks Fishing Pier for 50 years."

Like many businesses here, Oliver closed for two months as COVID-19 concerns kept the tourists away. On Friday, at last, he opened again. "This weekend was great," he said. "Nobody's been around for two months, and now, a tropical depression."

Tropical storm Arthur forced Oliver to close Monday, but he plans to be back in business the rest of the week. He's now looking forward to the clouds lifting and summer to shine.

"First we had the coronavirus, then we had the tropical storm. Hopefully, things will get better," Oliver said. "(It) adds a little adventure to the day."

Samantha Heath brought her mother and two grandsons from Greenville for a day on the Outer Banks.

"With them opening up, and the more people being able to come, I think it's just going to help everybody," Heath said. "Everybody's morale has got to get better, to be able to get out and get around."

While the storm has passed, more showers are forecast for the rest of the week, along with rough surf and dangerous rip currents.