Florida, Mississippi National Seashore parks closing

(WALA) - Due to the approach of Tropical Storm Isaac, Gulf Islands National Seashore parks in Florida will close at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Those areas include:

• Fort Pickens
• Perdido Key
• Fort Barrancas
• Naval Live Oaks
• Santa Rosa
• Okaloosa

All visitors currently at the seashore are being instructed to leave and are urged to immediately return home and beginning safeguarding their property.

J.E. Bowden Way through the Santa Rosa area will remain open pending effects from the storm.

"With this tropical storm in the Gulf, possibly taking aim at the coast, we have to begin now in order to safeguard human life," Superintendent Dan Brown said.

The National Park Service has to move visitors off the exposed barrier islands and close down all park operations.

"Right now, we have to close the park for the safety of our visitors and our employees," Brown said.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore parks have already closed.

Those areas include:

• Cat
• East and West Ship islands
• Horn Island
• Petit Bois Islands
• The Davis Bayou area in Ocean Springs

Gulf Islands National Seashore will reopen after the storm has passed and the staff has an opportunity to mitigate any hazards resulting from the storm.