National Seashore closes for Isaac

Due to the approach of Tropical Storm Isaac, Gulf Islands National Seashore will close today at 6 p.m., including Fort Pickens, Perdido Key, Fort Barrancas, Naval Live Oaks, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa areas to all public use. 

All visitors currently at the seashore are urged to immediately return home and beginning safeguarding their property. J.E. Bowden Way through the Santa Rosa area will remain open pending effects from the storm.   

When announcing this closure, Superintendent Dan Brown said, “with this tropical storm in the Gulf, possibly taking aim at the coast, we have to begin now in order to safeguard human life.”  The National Park Service has to move visitors off the exposed barrier islands and close down all park operations.

“Right now, we have to close the park for the safety of our visitors and our employees,”

Brown said.

Gulf Islands National Seashore will reopen after the storm has passed and the staff has an opportunity to mitigate any hazards resulting from the storm.