Gulf Islands National Seashore closing day use areas, to evacuate Fort Pickens campground

Gulf Islands National Seashore will close its Florida day use areas at 5 p.m. Sunday due to impacts expected from Tropical Storms Laura and Marco.

Areas that will close include the Fort Pickens Area, Perdido Key Area including Johnson Beach, Opal Beach Area and Okaloosa Area.

A mandatory evacuation of the Fort Pickens campground will occur Monday. All campers are expected to leave the area by 10 a.m.

The National Park Service said in a news release issued Saturday that intense winds, rough seas and heavy rain are expected to impact the park. Officials are also anticipating the flooding of roads and coastal areas.

Current predictions are for the park to be affected by the eastern sides of the storms, which typically include strong winds, tide and flooding.

The Florida areas will remain closed until further notice. The Fort Barrancas area remains closed due to closures of NAS Pensacola.

Highway 399, J. Earle Bowden Way, and the Naval Live Oaks day use areas, will remain open until further notice.