RECOVERY EFFORTS AFTER IVAN

Pictures of the Fort Pickens Area

As the pictures above illustrate, Gulf Islands National Seashore was devastated by Hurricane Ivan, a category 3, which struck Gulf Shores, Alabama around 2 am on September 16, 2004. The largest national seashore in the country, spanning 160 miles from Cat Island, Mississippi south of Gulfport east to the Okaloosa Day Use Area near Fort Walton Beach, Florida faced innumerable damages from Ivan's wrath. The picture in the lower right-hand corner of the crumbled pieces of the jetty bathroom shows the sheer force of Ivan's winds reaching 130 miles per hour coupled with a 10-12 foot storm surge. Work continues at the Seashore to clear tons of debris, stabilize historic structures, remove dead trees, rehabilitate visitor centers, and rebuild roadways.

MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT: All areas are reopened to the public. Visitors are invited to visit the Mississippi District that has a 51-site campground, William M. Colmer Visitor Center, nature trails, boat ramps, picnic pavilions, and ranger-led programs in the Davis Bayou Area located in Ocean Springs. Offshore barrier islands are accessible by private or licensed boat operators. The Ship Island passenger ferry service has resumed. For more information about the Mississippi District contact the Visitor Center at 228-875-0074, ext 2.

FLORIDA DISTRICT:

PERDIDO KEY: Perdido Key is open to vehicular traffic from 7:00 am to sunset. The fees are $8.00 per vehicle and $3.00 for pedestrians and bicyclists. A lifeguard is on duty daily and restrooms are available. Visitors are asked to stay out of the demarcated construction areas for their safety. Make sure to bring sunscreen, cold water, and umbrellas for shade and protection from the sun. Also, due to the large amounts of scattered debris, vistors should wear shoes for their protection. The previous pavilions were destroyed from Hurricane Ivan. New beach pavilions, restrooms, a nature trail, beach crossovers, a parking lot and an entrance station will be replaced and reconstructed. The Seashore intends to pursue, within applicable laws, the repair of the roadway and boardwalks as they existed prior to the storm. The Perdido Key Area is habitat for the endangered beach mouse. Gulf Islands must consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service about reconstruction of the roadway, as required by the 1973 Endangered Species Act.

FORT BARRANCAS: Fort Barrancas has now reopened daily from 9:30 am -4:45 pm. Come enjoy a ranger-led tour of this historic fort with a breathtaking view of the coastline at 2 pm Monday-Sunday.

NAVAL LIVE OAKS: The Naval Live Oaks area has now reopened daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. All sections including trails, unless posted, are open to the public.

FORT PICKENS/SANTA ROSA ISLAND: Access to the area is by boat only and visitors may access the beaches east of the Campground Registration/Ranger Station. Road construction areas and the developed area west of the station remain closed. The Florida Department of Transportation is rebuilding sections of the Fort Pickens Road. The road is being relocated north of the previous site due to the erosion of the south side of the island. Park staff is working with the Apache hot shot crews from Oklahoma. They have stabilized Building 5 through chain-link fencing along the outside and ventilated plywood to prevent further mold and deterioration. The pier at the Ranger Station has been rebuilt and the fishing pier has been repaired and redecked. The park will work with contractors to remove an estimated 200 dead trees marked for removal. An additional 300 and possibly more are dead but not yet marked and will also be eradicated. The historic Fort Pickens which has been standing since 1834 held its ground during the hurricane with only minor damage. Lead roofing will be placed over the sallyport and sink holes filled in along the parade ground. There is increased erosion around the casemates and the tower bastion will be buttressed by sand. Paneling has been added to the Fort Pickens Visitor Center which will, once again, provide books, memorabilia and educational materials about Gulf Islands National Seashore for visitor enjoyment. The popular Firehouse concession area will be fully operational when the park reopens. Doors, lighting, and paneling have been installed in the Firehouse with the help of the Apache hot shot crew.

Natural Resource Management: Hurricane Ivan flattened a number of dunes and relocated sand creating ideal nesting habitat for least terns, black skimmers, snowy and Wilson's plovers. Visitors are asked to stay out of nesting habitats. If the birds dive bomb toward you or appear agitated, please leave the area the same way in which you entered. Staying close to the shoreline as much as possible is encouraged, thereby not disturbing nesting bird colonies that tend to congregate above the high tide line.

Pictures of the Fort Pickens Area

SANTA ROSA: Access to the area is by boat only. The development at Opal Beach remains closed to visitation because of the extensive damage to picnic clusters. Road construction areas remain closed. Damaged structures were secured with fencing materials. The Florida Department of Transportation is repairing Route 399 and the multi-use path, which will be relocated on the shoulder of the road.

OKALOOSA AREA: This day use area is open to the public. Reconstruction of the restrooms has been completed. Visitors will be able to enjoy the widened beach, which is the result of the Corps of Engineers emergency dredge project. Hurricane Ivan created shoaling in theIntercoastal Waterway through Choctawhatchee Bay which was a safety hazard for commercial navigation. Approximately 30,000 cubic yards of beach quality sand was placed on the Okaloosa area beach.

Pictures of the Fort Pickens Area

The Seashore has received numerous calls from people outside the immediate area, anxious to camp or visit the Florida District. Some areas cannot be reopened until major repair work is accomplished. Over 250 additional personnel and contractors have assisted the Seashore staff. They have and continue to remove debris, stabilize facilities, and protect resources including museum objects. All staff is working together to open these areas to the public as soon as possible.

For additional information about the causes of hurricanes and particularly Ivan, please go to http://www.noaa.gov/

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Last Updated: 5/11/05
Webmaster Gulf Islands
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