How does the government shutdown affect South Florida?

Social security, postal mail continue, but National Parks will be affected

MIAMI ā€“ The federal government shut down just after midnight Friday after Congress could not agree on how toĀ fund government. Although most essential services will continue, South Florida will still feel the effects of the shutdown. Here's how:

National Parks

All National Parks will be closed because of the shutdown. However, the Trump administrationĀ said individual parks will "try to allow limited access wherever possible."Ā When the government shut down in 2013, park service employees blocked access to several locations including the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C.

Local park officials said all four South FloridaĀ parks are accessible, but they are technicallyĀ closed. The officials urge boaters to use extreme caution when traveling throughĀ the parks' waters.

  • Big Cypress National Preserve:Ā The welcome center and park headquarters areĀ closed. Most campgrounds are closed. Most restroom facilities are open.
  • Biscayne National Park: The Biscayne National Park Institute, which hosts boat tours and snorkeling trips,Ā is open. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is closed. Some restrooms facilities are closed.
  • Dry TortugasĀ National Park:Ā Boat tours andĀ seaplane adventures are open. The Garden Key Campground is not accepting new campers.Ā 
  • Everglades National Park: NoĀ visitor centers are open and many restrooms are closed. However, many businesses that operate inside the park such as concession stands, bike rentals and airboat tours are operating. The Homestead National Parks Trolley Service has been suspended.Ā 

Social Security and food stamps

All services will continue including payments for Social Security, Medicare and disability. BenefitsĀ for unemployment insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps, will also continue. However, new applications for these service will be delayed until the shutdown ends.

Postal service

Mail will continued to be delivered in South Florida and across the country. The United States Postal Service is independent of the federal government.

Air travel, ports

Federal employees who work at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-HollywoodĀ International Airport, including air traffic controllers and Transportation SecurityĀ Administration agents, will continue to report to work. However, most employees will not be able to work overtime, which could cause delays.

ā€œThe TSA will continue to provide the rigorous security it always does if there is a partial government shutdown,ā€ TSA said in a statement. ā€œTravelers will see no difference in security.ā€

PortMiamiĀ will remain open.

U.S. Coast Guard

As part of the military, the U.S. Coast Guard will continue to operate during the shutdown. The Coast Guard frequently assists boaters and local law enforcementĀ in Broward, Monroe and Miami-Dade counties.

Amtrak

Normal service will continue during a "short-term" shutdown, a spokesperson for the rail service said.