NEWS RELEASES
Many Florida State Parks Remain Closed After Hurricane
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through The Tallahassee Democrat's website.
The Tallahassee Democrat reports that many of the state parks in northwest Florida remain closed after suffering devastating damage from Hurricane Michael’s 100 mph winds and huge storm surge. “The focus remains on assessing park conditions,” Sarah Shellabarger, a spokeswoman for the Florida Parks System (FPS), told the Democrat. Twelve FPS strike teams are currently assessing damage and clearing debris in the Panhandle. They are seeing many downed trees, park structures and campgrounds destroyed, as well as many roads and dunes washed away. At Little St. George Island near Apalachicola, the storm surge redrew the shoreline, creating a dune-less landscape.
According to the FPS website, 13 state parks from Leon to Bay County remain closed until further notice, as well as the campgrounds at Grayton Beach and Topsail Hill Preserve State Parks, both in Walton County. The FPS is also offering evacuees of Hurricane Michael free emergency accommodations at more than two dozen state parks. These dry camping areas are for self-contained rigs – usually parking lots without utility connections - available on a first come, first served basis with waived overnight fees. Because space is limited, the FPS asks evacuees to contact the park directly to ensure availability.
An updated list of parks still closed can be found here; state parks offering free dry camping can be found here.
Camping, Environmental Issues, Florida, News, Open Road, State Parks