Contact: Jay Johnstone, 443-373-3448
HOMESTEAD, Fla. ---As Tropical Storm Erika approaches southeast Florida, Biscayne National Park has instituted a shutdown in accordance with its hurricane plan. Effective 5:30 pm on Friday, August 28, 2015, all park islands including Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key and Adams Key, and the mainland area at Convoy Point (9 miles east of Homestead) are closed to the public. Park waters remain open for vessel transit only. The closure will remain in effect until further notice. After suffering severe damage in 1992 from Hurricane Andrew, the park implemented a detailed plan for adequately protecting life, property and employees. The plan currently calls for preparations to begin at least 72 hours before potential landfall. These preparations include shuttering buildings and securing park property. For more information about Biscayne National Park please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/bisc or follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscaynenps, Twitter at www.twitter.com/biscaynenps or Instagram at www.instagram.com/biscaynenps. ---NPS--- About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 408 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. |
Last updated: April 25, 2016