Port Canaveral now allows vehicle and pedestrian traffic
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - UPDATE: Port Canaveral says that they are now open for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
However, cruise terminals, parking garages, Jetty Park, Freddie Patrick, and the Rodney Ketchum boat ramps are still closed. Restaurants may be open but it is advised you call ahead and check their hours.
Hurricane condition ZULU is also reportedly still in effect so port waterways are closed. The Port Canaveral Lock is open though and the S.R. 401 drawbridge is in the down position.
They also said that any cruise guests who need to retrieve their vehicle from Port Canaveral should lookout on the Port Canaveral website and social media channels. The Port is on a barrier island where a mandatory evacuation order is in place. The port will provide access once the evacuation order is lifted.
Port Canaveral announced on Monday morning that they have closed the port.
No vessel, regardless of size or service, will be allowed to transit through the port. All commercial vessels over 500 gross tons are prohibited from remaining in the port.
They also said that most draw bridges will be locked well before the expected arrival of sustained gale force winds, which are winds above 39 miles per hour. These will not open until after the severe weather has passed.
Vessels reportedly should also evacuate the ports of Jacksonville, Fernandina, or Canaveral via the St. Johns River or the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway depart early to avoid being blocked by bridges.
Hurricane Dorian is slowly moving west as a devastating Category 5 storm.
HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR DORIAN
See what schools are closed HERE.
See active evacuation notices HERE.
Find the nearest emergency shelter HERE.
For the latest on Dorian, visit ORLANDOHURRICANE.com.
You can also monitor the tropics with the Fox 35 Weather App.
This story was written in Orlando, Florida.