Hurricane IKE Reports - Florida Keys - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

canarymoon · 09-05-2008, 06:10 PM

Mandatory Evacuations ordered for Florida Keys

Tomorrow (Saturday) - visitors
Sunday - Residents

canarymoon · 09-05-2008, 07:01 PM

Dr. Jeff Masters, in his blog today:

Florida Keys are at high risk from Ike
The Florida Keys are highly vulnerable to hurricanes, and are at great risk from Ike. With only one road connecting the Keys to the mainland, 48-72 hours are required to evacuate the Keys. Tropical storm force winds can be expected in the Keys as early as Monday night, which means officials in the Keys may need to start ordering evacuations on Saturday morning. This would likely begin as an evacuation of visitors and tourists.

source:Wunder Blog : Weather Underground

sue miller · 09-06-2008, 07:19 PM

A forecast change in the progress of Hurricane Ike is providing Keys emergency managers an opportunity to re-evaluate plans for Sunday’s mandatory resident evacuation, officials said Saturday.

“Forecasters are telling us that track changes and a slower forward speed of Ike may provide more time for the evacuation,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “This coupled with Miami-Dade’s plans to delay possible evacuations on the mainland buys us more time.”

Gastesi said that emergency management officials plan to make decisions evacuations following the 5 a.m. Sunday Hurricane Ike advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

“We urge all Keys residents to check the county’s Website (http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov) or Channel 76 or local media before they leave,” Gastesi said.

Gastesi said that all Keys residents should continue wrapping up hurricane preparations and executing their hurricane plan with the intent on departing Sunday at times previously announced.

There will be no changes to the mandatory visitor evacuation, Gastesi said. Keys visitors were asked to leave beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Once the evacuation begins the two drawbridges in Monroe County including Snake Creek and Jewfish Creek will not open for marine traffic (boats) to avoid any vehicular traffic (cars, etc.) delays.

canarymoon · 09-07-2008, 10:22 PM

TWC just showed a keys resident... she said she still hadn't decided if she would evac. Was monitoring TWC and internet sites to see if she thought she really needed to. She lives in a mobile home!

sue miller · 09-09-2008, 01:58 PM

HURRICANE IKE: Incoming storm-impact reports

By CITIZEN STAFF

(See Keys storm photos at http://images.keysnews.com/galleries/news/IKE%20GALLERY/index.htm)
Meteorologists at the Key West National Weather Service Office said at 10 a.m. today the Florida Keys likely were experiencing the worst of the weather they would see from Hurricannd Ike. Sustained winds of about 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are being reported throughout the Keys. Rainfall has been light. Weather conditions should begin to improve in the late afternoon.
A possible tornado knocked down some trees near Mile Marker 106 at Shell World. No injuries were reported.
A Publix tractor-trailer rig overturned at Mile Marker 72 because of a heavy wind gust. The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle, but has only minor injuries. Reports say no fuel spilled. Two wreckers are in the process of removing it. Traffic in that area will alternate until the road is clear.
A vehicle hit a power pole on State Road 4, near Mile Marker 27.7 on Little Torch Key. The driver has minor injuries. No power outages resulted from the crash.
There is sand and other debris on the roadway at Sea Oats Beach at Mile Marker 75. Workers are in the process of clearing it, but there is a delay.
Minor flooding has been reported at Mile Marker 75 on the Overseas Highway in Islamorada, and in Key West on South Roosevelt Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard and the southern ends of Duval, Simonton and Whitehead streets. The city of Key West says its flooded streets should be considered closed to traffic.
Some power outages have been reported. Keys Energy Services and the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative crews have been responding to them quickly. About 1,000 customers off Northside Drive were without power for about 85 minutes. The utility shut down power to repair lines that were sagging and rubbing against each other.
A tree was reported down on Grassy Key, on Guava Avenue.
A downed tree on Big Coppitt Key at Avenue B and Fourth Street has been cleared.
Florida Keys Emergency Management officials are urging residents to stay indoors and not drive because flying debris and possible downed power lines make it dangerous to be outside. Emergency medical facilities are extremely limited and a quick response time is not guaranteed. Driving through standing water could damage your car and cause flooding in neighboring properties.
The U.S. Coast Guard stresses that boaters should remain in port. Rough bay waters and extremely dangerous offshore seas can make boating deadly during storms. Almost all of the Coast Guard’s rescue assets and personnel have prepared for the hurricane and may not be available for immediate response.
Evacuees and visitors should not return to the Keys until an “all-clear” is given. Details will be provided at www.keysso.net or www.monroecounty-fl.gov. Officials anticipate evacuees may be able to return on Thursday and visitors on Thursday or Friday.
Key West and Florida Keys Marathon airports are closed and there are no commercial flights today. Given no significant impacts to the airport, Monroe County Airports Director Peter Horton anticipates commercial service to resume Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.