NPS - National Park Service
06/17/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/17/2021 19:43
National Seashore Closing Fort Pickens for Severe Weather
Date:
June 17, 2021
Contact:Stephenie Wade, 850-393-7952
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/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
June 17, 2021
Contact:Stephenie Wade, 850-393-7952
GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Gulf Islands National Seashore will close the Fort Pickens Area beginning June 18, due to severe weather approaching the Northwest Florida area.
A mandatory evacuation of the Fort Pickens Campground will begin Thursday afternoon, June 17, with all campers and staff expected to leave the Fort Pickens Area by 12 p.m. Friday, June 18. All campground reservations will be postponed or cancelled through Sunday, June 20.
The severe weather is anticipated to cause flooding of roads and campgrounds, dangerous surf conditions, and overwash. High winds and heavy rain fall in combination with high tide can push sand on to the Fort Pickens Road surface, making it unsafe for travel and evacuation.
Park staff will be monitoring Opal Beach and Perdido Key Areas. The Davis Bayou Area will remain open. Park staff will continue to assess conditions throughout the weekend and will reevaluate the Fort Pickens Area Sunday, June 20 for reopening conditions and announce updates as appropriate.For more information please follow the parks social media accounts and website.
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/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.