Tropical Storm Fay Update

Gumbo Limbo is closed Tuesday 8/19 due to Tropical Storm Fay.

Turtle Specialists patrolled the beach in the morning and estimate that about 30 nests were completely lost due to the storm. Most of the nests lost were Loggerhead nests. Green turtles typically nest close or in the dune, as far up the beach as possible. Buried eggs and hatchlings still require oxygen to reach them under the sand. If the storm surge covers the nest for an extended period of time the eggs and hatchlings can suffocate. Developing eggs can’t typically be moved during the incubation. If the egg is turned, the movement kills the developing turtles.