Parts of Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida have closed due to the approach of Hurricane Ian/NOAA

Hurricane Ian's exact track still hasn't been firmly nailed down, but the National Park Service is closing parts of Gulf Islands National Seashore in northern Florida as a precaution.

All Florida areas of the park began to close to visitors Sunday evening. Closed areas include the Fort Pickens Area, Perdido Key Area (Johnson Beach), Opal Beach, and Okaloosa Area. All reservations for Fort Pickens Campground were canceled until further notice.

The Mississippi Area, Naval Live Oaks Area, and Highway 399 were to remain open pending the storm's trajectory. 

“Due to potentially deteriorating conditions forecasted by the National Weather Service Office, high surf, and the likelihood for significant flooding on the park roadways, the park will close the Florida areas until further notice,” said Superintendent Darrell Echols. “Our priority is to ensure the safest environment possible for park visitors and staff. The park will announce changes as appropriate, but current conditions do not allow the park to remain open.”

Ian was predicted to evolve into a major hurricane as it crossed western Cuba on Tuesday morning. By Friday, when it was expected to reach the national seashore, Ian was forecast to have weakened into a tropical storm with heavy rains and wind speeds ranging between 39 mph and 73 mph.