Gulf Breeze — Gulf Islands National Seashore announced today the closure of Fort Pickens Area in Florida, in anticipation of intense wind and rain that will cause flooding of the roads throughout the area. The forecasted wind and rain will cause roads within the Fort Pickens Area to become impassable.
The Fort Pickens Area is closed to all incoming public use due to predicted heavy winds and rainfall, effective Thursday, September 1, at 8:00 am. A mandatory evacuation of the Fort Pickens campground has begun.
Fort Pickens Area will remain closed to all incoming traffic and use until further notice. Other closures due to flooding may occur, but are not planned at this point. Superintendent Dan Brown said, "Our number one priority during extreme weather events is to provide for the safety of park visitors and staff, and in this case the most appropriate action is to close these areas and start the mandatory evacuation of the Fort Pickens Campground.” Park staff will assess conditions throughout the next few days and announce updates as appropriate.
When the road reopens, the campground will be first come, first served until the reservation system comes on-line again. Visitors may call the Fort Pickens Road Hotline at 850-934-2656 to get updates about road conditions. Fort Barrancas and other park areas including all of the Mississippi locations will remain open.
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslands_NPS.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 411 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebookwww.facebook.com/nationalparkservice and Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Fort Pickens Area Closed Ahead of Intense Weather
