Update on The Coast

A flurry of hurricanes raced through the South earlier this year. Here's the latest on your favorite coastal vacation spots.

You may wonder how some of the tourist destinations in Alabama and Florida are doing in the aftermath of the storms that whirled through this year. We've toured the areas hardest hit, seen the cleanup and repair efforts firsthand, and talked to people in the know.

Mobile, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, and Point Clear: Although many trees and limbs were downed, most towns and attractions fared well, including the Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, (251) 861-7500; the Battleship USS Alabama, 1-800-426-4929; downtown Mobile, 1-800-566-2453; Fairhope, (251) 928-6387; and Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 1-800-247-8420.

Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach: "Recovery is well under way following Hurricane Ivan," says Bebe Gauntt, public relations manager for the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. Bebe advises people to call the CVB at 1-800-745-7263, or visit www. gulfshores.com for updates on lodging and attractions.

Pensacola and Navarre Beach: Damage in these cities extended to the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's visitors information center at the foot of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Most of the hotels and all of the attractions are now operating. "We expect to be totally up and running by spring," says CVB director Ed Schroeder. For more information call 1-800-874-1234, or visit www.visitpensacola.com. For updates on Navarre Beach, call the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council at 1-800-480-7263, or visit www.beaches-rivers.com.

Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island: Some of the damage to lodging and restaurants was extensive. For current information call the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., 1-800-322-3319, or visit www.destin-fwb.com.

Beaches of South Walton, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach, and Rosemary Beach: Damage was light except to walkways over the dunes, which are quickly being rebuilt. Contact the Walton County Tourist Development Council at 1-800-822-6877, or visit www.beaches of southwalton.com.

Florida peninsula: Most of the major tourist destinations, including Orlando, are operating as usual. Areas that did have damage-mainly Charlotte County and Lee County along the southwestern Florida coast and Vero Beach, St. Lucie County, and Palm Beach County on the southeastern coast-are rebounding with amazing speed.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Dec 2004