Update: Park Reopens Following Passage Of Weakened Storm

After the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for the Gulf Coast last Friday afternoon, the park closed all park facilities and offices and released employees soon thereafter. Tropical Depression 10 took an unexpected jog to the north on Friday evening, though, and came ashore earlier than expected. It therefore had less time over water to strengthen and came ashore with winds just shy of tropical storm strength. Although the center of the store crossed over the park’s Okaloosa Unit, it caused no damage to facilities there – or anywhere else in the park. Most areas reopened by late Saturday morning except for Fort Pickens, which remained closed until surge waters receded, and West Ship Island, which was not reopened until marine conditions calmed on Sunday. The park resumed normal operations on Saturday afternoon.