Stabilization & RecoveryAfter a tropical system or other natural disaster impacts Gulf Islands National Seashore, the National Park Service goes through a process to reopen the park areas as quickly and safely as possible. During this time there are many questions that arise, which you can see below. If you have additional questions, feel free to e-mail us. Each area impacted by the natural disaster is assessed by the park facilities, safety, water systems, and traffic experts. Once assessments are completed, the park works on emergency stabilization to include clearing park roads for administrative access and securing any damaged structures. Recovery is the last step in the process and for some areas or facilities it can take months or years depending on the level of damage.
Depending on the severity of the storm, most areas can be reopened quickly after a minor tropical system. However, the Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa areas are in the most vulnerable locations and can be significantly impacted by minor storms damaging roadways. Major storms will impact not only the park, but the surrounding community extending closure times.
These timelines are based on the damage identified and the park’s ability to fund the repairs necessary to reopen areas. Funding for road construction or repairs comes from the Federal Highways Administration’s Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO). It normally takes 3-7 days for FHWA engineers to quantify the damage, estimate costs, identify funding, and (if funds are available) begin the contracting process. Once these items are identified, the park will release an update with the expected duration of the closure. Once the contract is awarded, a better timeline for reopening can be provided.
Reopening decisions are made based on the park’s law enforcement division’s assessment that the road can be used safely at all hours, in all conditions.
The National Park Service utilizes heavy equipment to clear park roads quickly and effectively. To supplement park staff and equipment, a service contract for sand removal is in place to assist the park. These resources are normally sufficient to accomplish any needed sand removal. Volunteers may be recruited to clear picnic pavilions and sidewalks once roads are cleared.
Roads at other barrier island locations outside the park are sustained by creating artificial berms or by driving sheet piling deep into the sand. These techniques alter the natural resources and barrier island processes which the park is mandated to maintain. Additional information about this can be found by visiting National Park Service Management Policies section 9.2.1.1.
Yes, areas where the island is narrow and near sea level are the most susceptible to over wash during storms and the resulting road damage they can create. Where there is a difference in elevation between the road surface and the adjacent sand, over wash can undercut or wash out the sand under the road, causing the road surface to collapse. During major hurricanes, storm surge has completely destroyed entire sections of park roads.
Even if you plan to make other arrangements, the most important thing to do is to not cancel your reservation. Once the contractor who operates recreation.gov has all of the necessary information, they will process refunds for the closure period.
Roadway damage impedes or eliminates the park’s ability to provide emergency services to areas. Additionally, allowing visitor access can delay repair work and extend partial closures. Furthermore, the use of heavy equipment while still allowing pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic on the narrow road surface poses an unacceptable safety risk.
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Last updated: October 23, 2019