Due to anticipated heavy rain and wind from Tropical Storm Nate, Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort, Ala., and Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Ala., will close at noon on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017.
No new reservations are being accepted for cottages, cabins, or campsites until Tuesday, October 10, 2017. This is subject to change based on evolving weather forecasts.
A hurricane warning is currently in effect from Louisiana to Alabama. Nate is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane late Saturday or early Sunday and pass through the region fairly quickly. Heavy rain, strong winds and tornados are likely.
Park facility closures and evacuation recommendations are listed below. These closures will remain in effect until after the storm has passed and park facilities are deemed safe for public use.
MEAHER
Campground and cabins – Mandatory evacuation. Current guests must leave the park by noon on Saturday when the park closes to visitors.
RVs – Owners of recreational vehicles stored at the park are advised to remove them no later than noon on Saturday. RVs may be left on site, but the park will not be responsible for any storm damage to those vehicles.
GULF
Gulf State Park Pier – Closed immediately to allow for storm preparations.
Golf course – Closing at normal hours today.
Nature Center – Closing at normal hours today.
Welcome Center – Closing at normal hours today.
Beach Pavilion – Closing at normal hours today.
Beaches – Closing later today or early tomorrow morning in conjunction with decisions made by the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores for their beach access areas.
Campground – Mandatory evacuation. Current guests must leave the park by noon on Saturday when the park closes to visitors.
Cottages and cabins – suggested/voluntary evacuation for now, but subject to change in accordance with revised weather forecasts.
RVs – Owners of recreational vehicles stored at the park are advised to remove them no later than noon on Saturday. RVs may be left on site, but the park will not be responsible for any storm damage to those vehicles.
Meaher and Gulf state parks will reopen to the public after the storm has passed and the parks are deemed safe for public use. Status updates will be posted at http://alapark.com/meaher-state-park and http://alapark.com/gulf-state-park. Updates will also be posted to the parks’ Facebook pages: Meaher, https://www.facebook.com/Meaherstatepark; and Gulf, https://www.facebook.com/GulfStatePark.
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