The last of the rubble was finally washed away in 1980. Dune construction begins. The beach stabilizes. It remains dark for nearly two decades. A substitute light is placed on a steel light tower near Buxton Woods.
Operations become automated.
National Park Service places large, nylon sandbags near the lighthouse. Jesse Helms and Gov. Jim Hunt join forces to form a Save the Lighthouse Committee. Problem areas are scheduled for repair in 1990. 200 marine geologists, architects and construction engineers from across the country form a Move the Lighthouse Committee. No date is yet set.