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Dry Tortugas Battens Down In Advance Of Hurricane Ian

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By NPT Staff - September 26th, 2022

Dry Tortugas National Park closed Monday in advance of Hurricane Ian/NOAA


Dry Tortugas National Park near the southern tip of Florida closed to the public Monday to prepare for Hurricane Ian, which threatened to arrive Tuesday morning with winds greater than 110 miles per hour, heavy rains, and raging seas. The closure mandated the temporary suspension of concession-operated ferry and sea plane services to the park.

Park rangers completed hurricane preparations at Dry Tortugas, which is 70 miles west of Key West, on Monday morning. Garden Key, Loggerhead Key and all other islands and facilities in the park were closed, including the campground, main dock, and visitor courtesy slips on Garden Key, as well as the main dock at Loggerhead Key.

While the park is closed, vessels were being provided safe harbor in designated areas within the one nautical mile anchoring zone around Garden Key, including Bird Key Harbor.

If the storm track changes, the park might issue a new advisory with updated status, including any lifting of closures.

Ian arrives five years after two hurricanes, Irma and Maria, battered Virgin Islands, Everglades, Dry Tortugas, and Biscayne national parks before moving up the Atlantic Seaboard. Those storms tore out a 40-foot section of the moat that surrounds Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas.

Comments

Submitted by Jean Outler on September 27, 2022 - 3:24pm.

Hope the storm leaves the Dry Tortugas quickly and with only minor problems.  A very special place!  


Submitted by Viceroy on September 27, 2022 - 11:13pm.

I agree. One of the most remarkable places I ever been. Hope not too much damage.


Submitted by Amy on September 28, 2022 - 8:25am.

I've been there. it's the safest place to be in a storm. The walls of the fort are 8 feet thick. be safe


Submitted by Kay from California on September 28, 2022 - 12:12pm.

Visited Dry Tortugas in February of this year, 2022, and know that the Fort is Eternal. Can't think of a safer place to stay than inside that Fort, if necessary. My concern is for the animal life, the shifting erosion of beach and sand. It is a wonderful place that will stand the test of time. I wonder how many birds and critters take shelter inside the Fort in a storm like this? Prayers for all of Florida


Submitted by RJ on September 29, 2022 - 1:06am.

The hurricane eye went right over the park, islands took a direct hit.


Submitted by Teri on September 29, 2022 - 11:16am.

Any updates on how the park?


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on September 29, 2022 - 11:20am.

No word from the National Park Service yet, I'm afraid.


Submitted by Nick on October 3, 2022 - 7:12pm.

Can see some of the damage here:

https://yachtwarriors.com/dry-tortugas-takes-direct-hit-from-hurricane-ian/


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