Areas of Gulf Islands seashore re-open

GULF BREEZE, Fla. (WALA) - Officials said high winds, tides and torrential rains spawned by Hurricane Isaac that impacted areas of Gulf Islands National Seashore continued to subside Friday.

Officials said the calmer conditions have permitted park staff to reopen some areas of the park.

 The Perdido Key Area is scheduled to reopen Friday, August 31.  

However, officials said the Fort Pickens Road remains closed due to high quantities of sand on the roadway.  They said crews have begun to remove the sand, but initial estimates are that it could take more than a week to get the road open.  

Officials said the Santa Rosa Area, including Opal Beach, is expected to remain closed for an indefinite period due to significant damage to Highway 399.

They said post-storm condition assessment conducted Friday, August 31, in the Davis Bayou Area, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, revealed only minor damage, and that area will reopen on Sunday, September 2.

Meanwhile, officials said condition assessments for the Mississippi islands, including Horn Island and West Ship Island, may occur on Sunday, September 2, if sea conditions permit.

Below is a listing of areas within the National Seashore and their status as of Friday August 31:

• The Naval Live Oaks area on Hwy 98, reopened on Thursday, August 30.
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• Fort Barrancas Area, within Pensacola Naval Air Station reopened on Thursday, August 30th.  
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• At the Perdido Key Area, Johnson Beach, - The main parking lot and pavilion reopened on Friday, August 31.
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• Extensive damage to the westbound lane of J. Earle Bowden Way – Route 399) in the Santa Rosa area necessitates closure of this area until repairs can be made.
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• The Fort Pickens area remains closed. The condition of Fort Pickens Road will be assessed after the removal of several feet of sand covering the road is completed.
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• The Davis Bayou area, Ocean Springs, MS will reopen on Sunday, September 2.  The offshore islands in Mississippi remain closed until conditions permit further assessment.