Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The U.S. Coast Guard is restoring port operations following Hurricane Isaias. Gulfport and Pascagoula have returned to normal port conditions. Mobile, Panama City, and Port St. Joe remain in recovery. Destin and Pensacola remain closed to vessel traffic.

The Coast Guard has deployed seven aids-to-navigation verification teams and five port assessment teams. Crews are assessing waterfront facilities and navigational markers for storm-related damage.

Five communications teams are working to restore VHF radio coverage. A deployable command center truck and a Rescue 21 Remote Fixed Facility are supporting the effort. Aircrews are assessing storm damage using MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft.

"Our priority is to safely reopen the port and restore the flow of maritime commerce as quickly as conditions allow," said Capt. Mike Vega, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Mobile. "Our crews are working across the affected region to assess critical infrastructure, restore communications, and identify hazards to navigation. I also want to thank the public and our maritime partners for heeding storm warnings and taking the necessary precautions ahead of Hurricane Isaias. Their preparation and willingness to put safety first helped reduce risks on the water and allowed our crews to focus on recovery efforts as soon as conditions permitted."