Florida: The eastern section of Fort Pickens is closed to the public. This area includes the beaches and will extend from the entrance gate westward to the Ranger Station. The closure will remain in effect until late spring 2009. This closure is necessary to protect the visiting public and to allow the road contractor, Anderson-Columbia, to complete reconstruction of Fort Pickens Road as quickly and safely as possible. The contractors are removing much of the scattered asphalt in the area which requires the use of heavy equipment outside of the road corridor. Additionally, in order to complete the reconstruction on time, the contractor must be able to move the project forward without undue delays. The area west of the Ranger Station including campground Loop A will remain open, but will only be accessible by private boat or through one of the following authorized commercial providers:
Over land shuttle: Fort Pickens Shuttle (Saturday and Sunday ONLY) 850-698-7492
Water taxi service: Blue Marlin Water Taxi (850)723-4907 Kaitlyn (850)492-1099 Key Sailing (580)932-5520
Visitors may contact them directly for information about the services they provide. Please observe any posted closed areas as these are closed for the safety of our visitors and protection of park resources.
The road reconstruction along on J. Earle Bowden Way, between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach, is continuing and expected to be completed by mid-spring, 2009. The eastern section of the road, up to the first parking lot, will reopen to vehicular traffic in February 2009. The road corridor west of that will remain closed to the public, but the beaches are open.
In addition, the Perdido Key Area of the Seashore is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to sunset.
Mississippi District: All areas including islands are now opened. West Ship Island is opened only during day light hours. The Ship Island passenger ferry resumes operations on Friday March 27, 2009, from Gulfport at the intersection of Highways 90 and 49. Weather permitting and if there are 25 passengers, the ferry leaves at 9:00 AM Wednesday through Saturday. There is a noon boat on Saturday and Sunday. For more information call 228-230-4100. Hurricane Ike hit the east coast of Texas on September 13, 2008.
Last summer, the Seashore received damage as a result from Hurricane Gustav's close path on Labor Day Weekend and then one week later Hurricane Ike was in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricanes form in the tropics, over warm ocean water and close to the equator. Hurricane season begins June 1st and ends November 30th. Hurricanes are placed in categories based on the strength of their winds.
Hurricanes need four conditions to form:
- low air pressure
- warm temperatures
- moist ocean air
- tropical winds (near the equator)
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CATEGORY
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SUSTAINED WINDS
(MPH)
|
DAMAGE
|
|
1
|
74-95
|
Minimum
|
|
2
|
96-110
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Moderate
|
|
3
|
111-130
|
Extensive
|
|
4
|
131-155
|
Extreme
|
|
5
|
Over 155
|
Catastrophic
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Gulf Islands National Seashore experienced the fury of four major hurricanes during 2004-2005. Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis were Category 4, Hurricane Katrina, Category 3 and Hurricane Cindy was a Category I.
Hurricane Gustav glanced Gulf Islands and went ashore in coastal Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans on September 1, 2008.
