Beaches open Oct. 2, most public access points remain closed

Submitted
Posted 10/1/20

While our area sustained significant damage with major flooding, extensive power outages, structural damage, wide-range beach erosion, fallen trees and many impassable roads, we are happy to report …

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Beaches open Oct. 2, most public access points remain closed

Posted

While our area sustained significant damage with major flooding, extensive power outages, structural damage, wide-range beach erosion, fallen trees and many impassable roads, we are happy to report that cleanup is moving quickly, and power and other utilities are being restored. Please see the following update on the progress our City has made over the last two weeks.

Beaches

The City of Gulf Shores, City of Orange Beach, Baldwin County, Gulf State Park, and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism have been working closely with Governor Kay Ivey and the State of Alabama to determine when beaches can safely reopen. While our area has seen vast improvement over the last two weeks, there is still a lot of work to be done. The City of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan will reopen beaches at 6 a.m. Oct. 2. However, most public beach access points will remain closed until further notice due to safety concerns. These include:

Gulf Shores

Gulf Place

West Gulf Place

West 5th Street

West 6th Street

West 10th Street

West 12th Street

West 13th Street

Little Lagoon Pass Park

 Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park Pier

Gulf State Park Pavilion

Beach access at Perdido Beach Boulevard and State Park Road 2

 Orange Beach

Romar Beach

Cotton Bayou

Alabama Point (including under Perdido Pass Bridge) and Alabama Point East

These extended closures of public access areas are strictly due to safety concerns. Repairs to boardwalks and other damaged areas will take place as quickly as possible. Reopening of access points and parking lots should begin in mid-October as soon as they are fully repaired and deemed safe. 

City of Gulf Shores Resident Beach Access

East Gulf Place will reopen for City of Gulf Shores Resident Only Parking Friday, Oct. 2. Hurricane Reentry/Beach Parking Passes will be required for parking.

Visitors

Private accommodations that can reopen will have open access to the beach beginning Oct. 2. Visitors should contact their lodging accommodation provider for specific information related to their stay.

Curfew

The City of Gulf Shores curfew will expire Friday, Oct. 2, at 6 a.m. At that time, checkpoints located at West 12th Avenue (Domino’s) and on East Beach Boulevard will also be taken down.

City Facilities and Parks

The following City facilities and parks are now open:

City Hall and Executive Offices, Library, Gulf Shores Museum, Gulf Shores City Store, Outdoor Basketball Courts, Skate Park, Dog Park, Mo’s Landing Park (boat launch remains CLOSED), Canal Park Boat Launch

The Bodenhamer Recreation Center will open at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. Regular hours will resume at that time.

The Cultural Center gymnasium received significant damage and will remain closed until further notice.

The Gulf Shores Sportsplex track and football stadium are open.

Wade Ward Nature Park will remain closed until further notice due to storm damage.

Relief Distribution Locations and Donations

All drive-thru distribution locations are now closed. Gulf Shores United Methodist Church is operating a Volunteer Reception Center for those interested in volunteering with disaster relief. Please contact Gulf Shores United Methodist Church at 251-597-2983 for more information.

Debris Pickup

Gulf Shores City Crews and Contractors are working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week to clean up storm debris throughout the City of Gulf Shores. The cleanup process will take several weeks. Residents are asked to continue to have patience as crews are working as fast as they can. Please contact Public Works at 251-968-1156 for any questions related to storm debris pickup.

We appreciate your patience as we take care of our residents and continue working to rebuild Alabama’s coastal communities.

The City of Gulf Shores will continue to share updates through our City’s website and our social media channels. To receive updates via email or text message, please visit www.gulfshoresal.gov and click on “Notify Me."