Subscribe | What is RSS

Date: August 28, 2006
Contact: Helen Mayoral, 305/230-1144 x.3005
Contact: Elsa Alvear, 305/230-1144 x.3007

As Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ernesto approaches southeast Florida, Biscayne National Park has instituted a shutdown in accordance with its Hurricane Plan.

Effective 6:00 a.m. on Monday, August 28, 2006, all park islands (including Boca Chita Key, Elliot Key, and Adams Key) and the mainland area at Convoy Point (9 miles east of Homestead) are closed to the public. Park waters will remain open for vessel transit only. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.

After suffering severe damage in 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, the park implemented a detailed plan for adequately protecting life and property, while at the same time taking into account employee’s needs to prepare their own homes and families. The plan has been fine-tuned at every approaching storm, and currently calls for preparations to begin at 72 hours before potential landfall. These preparations include not only securing and shuttering buildings, but also removing the park’s entire fleet of boats (over 20 vessels) to an inland location.