Padre Island National Seashore closes some beaches due to Hurricane Ian

The Padre Island National Seashore closed some of its beaches ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival on the Gulf Coast.

PINS announced on social media that driving beaches closed at 5 p.m. on Monday, just as the storm barreled toward Cuba.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province early Tuesday as a Category 3 storm. It may hit Florida’s coast as early as Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, according to the Associated Press.

PINS said that the beaches will be closed to driving until flooding subsides.

“National Weather Service Corpus Christi office is predicting that between Tuesday and Thursday, wave heights will increase to 6 to 8 feet, topping out at 10 to 12 feet before subsiding on Thursday evening,” the post states. “Along with increased wave heights, coastal flooding to the base of the dune line is expected, as are rip currents.”

“When the risk of coastal flooding has subsided and the beaches are determined to be safe for driving, they will be reopened,” the post added.

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Read also:

• Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Cuba en route to Florida
• All your best hurricane tips: These pieces of advice will have you reaching for a pen