Important Florida Keys Update From EMT in Monroe County

Thought I would post this here as I am receiving emails from my second home in the Florida Keys. This is what they are sending out in emails to residents.

Just so you know what is going on in Key West and the whole of the Keys.

This is not forecasted to intensify strongtly in the Florida Straits and I want to remind everyone it is still SOUTH of Cuba basically but it's important to be prepared.

Yes, Virginia School is Canceled in Monroe County!

As for Miami Dade County... still up in the air but I would imagine unless something happens dramatically today they will be open. We'll see. I am going to work.

I went to Publix and bought some basics (crackers, tuna, canned food) that could be used anytime and yes a little bit of water. Everyone is buying water. No one is panicking but the stores are busy and everyone has that look of "it's Sunday, I am going shopping today and not running out Monday if things change" and heard some mother tell her son on the phone "tell me now because I am NOT going out tomorrow" so... Miamian's seem to worry on 3 things.

1) Being without Electric.. ie AC.
2) Being stuck in Publix in some crazy panic moments before the storm.
3) Having to get stuck in a gas line. People are topping up.



Monroe County Office of Emergency Management
Update: Tropical Storm Fay, August 17, 2008 - 11 a.m.



Keys Officials Issue Additional Protective Actions for Tropical Storm Fay


 Four Keys Shelters to open 7 p.m.

 Public schools to be closed Monday and Tuesday

 Mobile home residents, those in low-lying areas and boat live-aboards should evacuate to shelters

 Keys county and city offices to close Monday

 Sheriff's Offices closed Monday and Tuesday

 Evacuation continues for visitors.

Monroe County Emergency Management is monitoring Tropical Storm Fay very closely and, with it's expected arrival in the Florida Keys Monday at noontime, they are issuing a number of protective action orders today.



Everyone in the Keys should be closely monitoring the storm and should continue to listen to loal radio and television stations for updates on both the storm, and for any

new protective action reccomendations which might be issued.

Shelters will open at 7 p.m. tonight for those residents who are staying in the Keys and who do not feel comfortable staying home during the storm.

Shelter locations are:
Key West High School on Flagler Avenue in Key West
Sugarloaf School on Crane Boulevard, just off the bayside of the 19 mile marker of Highway U.S. One
Stanley Switlik Elementary School at 3400 Overseas Highway in Marathon
Coral Shores High School, mile marker 90 on Highway U.S. One in Islamorada.

It is highly recommended that those living in mobile homes, low lying areas and boat live-aboards to go to these shelters for the duration of the storm.

More information about hurricane preparation in general and about shelters specifically, including what you should or should not bring, is available at Monroe County's web site at http://monroecofl.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/MonroeCoFL_Emergency/shelterfacts.

Monroe County public schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Parents should be receiving a confirmation call from the school disrict about these closings.

Keys county and city offices are closed on Monday. A decision is to be made later regarding the status of county and city offices on Tuesday. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office will close it's administrative offices on both Monday and Tuesday. Law enforcement operations will, of course, continue throughout the storm.

Boat owners should now be securing their vessels, well before the arrival of tropical storm-force winds midday Monday. The Snake Creek drawbridge, in Islamorada, will not open to marine vessels, upon the arrival of tropical storm-force winds.

Hospitals in the Florida Keys are canceling elective procedures, but intend to remain open for emergency service otherwise, unless there is a change in the intensity of Fay.

Airports in Key West and Marathon are closely monitoring the storm's progress and are likely to remain open through early Monday morning. Operations will cease upon the arrival of tropical storm-force winds arrive.

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Roth said that there are no plans to close the Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) before, during or after the storm.

A mandatory evacuation for visitors is now in effect.

Additional Resources:
Monroe County Emergency Information: (800) 955-5504
Keys Tourism Help Line: (800) 771-KEYS
Monroe County Situation Report: www.monroecounty-fl.gov
National Hurricane Center Web site: www.nhc.noaa.gov
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office: www.keysso.net
Keys Tourism Council: www.fla-keys.com

Contact: Becky Herrin, (305) 797-0155
Andy Newman, (305) 542-6014



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