Tropical Storm Nate could become a hurricane by the time it reaches the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend/NOAA

Officials have begun to evacuate Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida and Mississippi as the park braces for Tropical Storm Nate, which is forecast to reach the U.S. Gulf Coast as a hurricane this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

The closure at Gulf Islands, which began Thursday evening, includes all Mississippi islands and the Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, Naval Live Oaks, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and the Perdido Key areas. All campers at the Fort Pickens and Davis Bayou campgrounds must evacuate by noon Friday.

"With this tropical storm in the Gulf, and possibly becoming a hurricane taking aim at the coast, we have to begin now in order to safeguard human life," Gulf Islands Superintendent Daniel R. Brown said. "Right now, we have to close the park for the safety of our visitors and our employees."

When Nate arrives, heavy winds, storm surge, and rainfall are expected from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. At least 20 people died Thursday when the storm passed through Central America.

The park’s incident management team will monitor the storm from a safe location, and Gulf Islands National Seashore will reopen after the storm has passed and the staff has mitigated any hazards resulting from the storm.

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria have already devasted national parks throughout the South and in the Caribbean this year. Many parks in Florida and the Atlantic Coast remain fully or partially closed a month after Irma first hit, are some areas of the Caribbean, like Virgin Islands National Park, aren't expected to reopen for at least six months.