Strong winds and thunderstorms with gusts estimated at 60 mph moved southwest across Baldwin County on Friday, forcing officials to evacuate Gulf State Park, temporarily housing people in the park's bathhouses, said Hugh Branyon, park superintendent.
After hearing police reports of a tornado touching down near Alabama 59 at 2:25 p.m., Branyon called the evacuation.
"We tried to notify everyone we could to go to the nearest bathhouse," he said. "We had begun evacuating the golf course because of the thunder and lightning already in the area."
The initial reports of a tornado were incorrect, and it was more likely a strong updraft, said Gulf Shores police officials. The National Weather Service acknowledged hearing that a tornado had been seen in the beach city, but forecasters could not confirm those reports.