Hurricane Irma Information

Friday, September 22, 2017

Tourism Ban Lifted

The City of Key West is now open for tourism. The official opening date is Sunday, October 1, 2017, however tourists are welcome now.

Curfew Hours Changed in Middle and Lower Keys

Monroe County curfews change tonight in some areas.

• Upper and Middle Keys and Key West: 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
• Lower Keys: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Snake Creek Drawbridge resumes regular operations Monday

The Snake Creek Drawbridge in Tavernier has been repaired by FDOT. On Monday, the drawbridge will resume regular operations for openings for mariners.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Blue Roof Program To Cover First Keys Home Friday

Operation Blue Roof, which provides no-cost temporary repairs for roofs damaged by Hurricane Irma, will cover its first Keys home — on Ramrod Key — Friday morning.

The program is headquartered at 30320 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors will install the temporary roof covering at no charge.

Only primary residences with standard shingled roofs are eligible. Metal roofs and mobile homes will be repaired as practical on a case by case basis. Roofs with greater than 50 percent structural damage are not eligible.

To get assistance, you must sign a “Right of Entry” (ROE) form to allow Corps staff and contractors to access your private property and assess roof damage. Residents can complete a ROE at the Marathon Home Depot.

For more information, call 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258)

Florida Department of Health-Monroe County Lifts Precautionary Swim Advisory for Five Keys Beaches

Florida Department of Health in Monroe County has lifted its precautionary swim advisory for five Keys public beaches:

1. Founders Park Beach
2. Smathers Beach
3. Higgs Beach
4. Bahia Honda Oceanside
5. Bayside Beach

The swim advisory remains in effect for the following beaches, which have yet to be tested:

1. John Pennekamp
2. Fort Zachary
3. Bahia Honda Sandspur

Swimming is not recommended in areas that have failed their water quality test or have not been tested since the storm. You should assume that water contact may pose an increased risk of disease, particularly for immunocompromised individuals.

Additionally, residents should avoid contact with floodwaters. Flood water may contain fecal matter from sewage systems, agricultural and industrial waste and septic tanks.

Keys Tourism Advisory

News and Information from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council

Restoration Efforts Well Underway in the Florida Keys

Restoration progress continues to be made in the Florida Keys following impacts from Hurricane Irma. During a Thursday Monroe County Emergency Management conference call, the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative reported restoration of almost 100 percent of their customer base that is able to accept power, from Ocean Reef in North Key Largo through Marathon. FKEC officials said they would start releasing mutual aid crews from other areas of Florida and the U.S.

Power

Keys Energy officials indicated that some 95 percent of power had been restored from Key West to Crane Boulevard on Sugarloaf Key. Some 400 crews are working in other parts of the Lower Keys from Sugarloaf to the Seven Mile Bridge. If customers do not have power in restored areas, they should contact Keys Energy at 305-295-1010, but officials said not to call multiple times.

Water

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority says that all the Keys except Cudjoe and Summerland now have water 24/7. The boil-water order has been discontinued for Key Largo (excluding Ocean Reef) through Tavernier as well as Shark Key through Key West (except Rockland Key). Potability testing is ongoing in other parts of the Keys where a boil-water order remains in effect.

Airports

Key West International Airport has reopened for commercial airline service. A Delta flight from Atlanta landed Wednesday, the first arrival since before Hurricane Irma.

Tourists

The Florida Keys still remain temporarily closed to visitors and a local state of emergency is still in effect. The initial goal for visitors to return remains Oct. 20, the beginning of Key West’s Fantasy Fest, but that date may be advanced.

Wednesday afternoon county, municipal and Monroe County Tourist Development Council officials met via teleconference to discuss an official reopening date for visitors. No decision was made, but the TDC is preparing an emergency post-Irma marketing program and plans to tap into emergency reserves. The program is to start once county and municipal government officials choose a date to reopen all the Keys to travelers. Another conference is scheduled for Monday.

Monroe County and TDC offices are to reopen Monday, Sept. 25.

Conditions

Irma’s damage impacts vary. Key Largo and Key West have the fewest impacts and properties there have returned or are returning to operative status. Islamorada and Marathon’s facilities on the bayside and gulfside have significantly fewer effects than oceanside. Some oceanside resorts and facilities will require weeks or months to reopen for business.

The Lower Keys were the most impacted area of the island chain and recovery efforts there are likely to take the longest for many residents and businesses.

Monroe County Schools Superintendent Mark Porter announced resumption of school on a staggered start basis.

Schools

In Marathon and Key West, the following schools are to open Monday, Sept. 25, for employees and Wednesday, Sept. 27, for students: Stanley Switlik Elementary School, Marathon Middle High School, Gerald Adams Elementary School, Horace O’Bryant School, Key West High School, May Sands Montessori Charter School, Poinciana Elementary School and Sigsbee Charter School.

The following Upper Keys schools are to open Monday, Sept. 25, for employees, with students reporting Thursday, Sept. 28: Plantation Key School, Coral Shores High School, Key Largo School, Ocean Studies School and Treasure Village Montessori.

Schools most impacted by the storm, including Big Pine Academy and Sugarloaf School, are to open to students Monday, Oct. 2, with employees reporting Thursday, September 28.

Key West Collegiate Academy is not able to open yet due to facility issues at Florida Keys Community College. The reopening date for KWCA is to be announced.

Vessels

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Captain Dave Dipre reports that a preliminary estimate of vessels that are derelict, lost or abandoned in the Keys stands at 1,300. He added that, if a boat is missing, the owner should file a report with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office so the vessel can be added to a database to make return easier if it is found.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

County Seeking Local Volunteers for Recovery Effort

People interested in volunteering with Monroe County to assist in the hurricane recovery effort may report to the Sugarloaf Fire Station (17097 Overseas Highway, Lower Keys) or one of the operating Points of Distribution:

• Sugarloaf School (255 Crane Blvd., Summerland Key)
• Big Pine National Wildlife Center (179 Key Deer Blvd., Big Pine Key)
• Marathon High School (50 Sombrero Beach Rd., Marathon)
• Marathon Skate Park (200 36th St., Marathon)

Volunteers can register at www.volunteerflorida.org/irma or call the county’s Citizen Information Hotline at 800-955-5504.

Training, meals and refreshments will be provided. Volunteers need to dress for work outdoors, and can be expected to work 4-hour shifts and lift items that weigh up to 30 pounds.

At this time, the county is seeking LOCAL volunteers for this effort. The county does not have housing available for people traveling to the Keys in hopes of volunteering.

Power

Both power companies in the Keys made good progress today.

The Florida Keys Electric Coop, which covers Key Largo to the south end of the Seven Mile Bridge, reports that they have restored power to nearly 98 percent of its customers. Marathon only has 6 streets without power, but the city’s Silver Shores mobile home community suffered severe damage and is still without power. FKEC expects that by the end of the day tomorrow, any property that can accept power will have power.

Keys Energy Service, which covers the rest of the Keys, reported that it has restored power to 76 percent of its customers. About 7,000 customers remain without power, mostly in some of the hardest hit areas around Cudjoe Key and Big Pine Key.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Keys Open To All Traffic Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.; Florida City Checkpoint Closes

The Keys will reopen to all vehicular traffic at 7:30 a.m. Today. There will no longer be a checkpoint at Florida City.

The Keys are reopening only for residents, business owners and those helping people recover from Hurricane Irma. “The Keys are not ready for tourists yet. If you don’t have to be here, please don’t be here, ” says County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “The Keys have come a long way in a short time, but we still have work to do to get the Keys ready for visitors.”

While the Keys are open, 21 neighborhoods in the hardest hit areas in the corridor between Marathon and Key West will be blocked to everyone other than residents with proof of residency in that location.




These neighborhoods include:

Citizens Property Insurance Opens Two Catastrophe Response Centers

Citizens Property Insurance has opened two Catastrophe Response Centers in Monroe County:

1. Murray Nelson Government Center, MM 102 in Key Largo (open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
2. Marathon City Marina, 800 35th Street Ocean, Marathon (open daily 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Citizen’s Property is working on opening a Catastrophe Response Center in the Lower Keys.

At these centers, policyholders can file claims. Some policyholders, whose homes are uninhabitable or severely damaged, can receive advance living expense checks on the spot.

Policyholders also can call 866-411-2742 (24 hours per day) or visit www.citizensfla.com. (Citizens Insurance does not cover flood damage.)

To file a claim at a Catastrophe Response Center, policyholders only need to provide personal identification. However, it would be beneficial to also have your policy number and any pictures/video of your damage.

And while this storm’s damage may not meet your policy’s deductible, it does not hurt to file a claim. If another storm hits within one year, the losses can be combined to meet your deductible.

Insurance companies cannot cancel a policy or increase rates if a policyholder files a claim during a catastrophe.

Three Monroe County Landfills Are Now Open to Keys Residents

Three Monroe County landfills are now open to Keys residents. They are located at Long Key (MM 68), Key Largo (CR 905) and Cudjoe Key (MM 21.5). Hours are 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

Residents must show a photo ID to use the landfill, for which there is no charge. (Businesses and contractors will be charged the normal dumping fee.)

Residents can dispose of the following: household garbage, vegetation, recyclables, yard waste, appliances, furniture and certain hazardous materials, including paint, fuel and batteries. (No sludge will be accepted.)

Flares, ammunition and prescription drugs can be taken to any Sheriff’s Office substation for disposal.

Emergency Work Exempted from permitting and Emergency Permits.

Below is the official language detailing emergency changes to building permit regulations in effect due to the state of emergency.

The Monroe County Mayor declared a State of Local Emergency on 9/5/17 and 9/12/17 due to Hurricane Irma. The State of Emergency specified a “threat of danger to the populace inhabiting Monroe County” and that the County “may require expedient action in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.” Due to State of Emergency, certain work will be exempted from requiring a permit, to provide expedient action in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of this community. We are working to help restore your homes and businesses as quickly as possible to a safe condition. Our focus will be permitting to achieve safety.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Monroe County Open to Residents only; Curfew Remains in Place

Monroe County remains closed to anyone who is not a Keys resident or is working in official capacity with the hurricane relief effort.
 In order to pass the checkpoint at Florida City, at least one occupant in a vehicle must show proof of residence, either through a photo ID with a local address, or a photo ID and a utility bill, rental agreement or some other document that shows residency in the Keys.


In addition, all of Monroe County remains under a curfew for safety and security reasons.
The Florida City checkpoint will close at 8 p.m. to ensure everyone has enough time to get to their destination before the curfew.


In the Upper Keys and Middle Keys, to mile marker 47 (north end of the Seven Mile Bridge), the curfew is 10 p.m. to sunrise.


In the Lower Keys and Key West, it remains dusk to dawn. 
Anyone out after the designated times is subject to arrest.

Important information about FEMA Assistance

Keys Residents looking for information and guidance on registering for disaster assistance have the following options to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

1. Call 1-800-621-3362

2. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov

3. In person at the Old Town Key West Fire Station #2 (616 Simonton Street)

Disaster Medical Assistance Teams in place in the Lower Keys

There are currently two Disaster Medical Assistance teams in place to serve the lower Keys. These are basically fully operational field hospitals that are replacing area hospitals that were damaged and out of service due to Hurricane Irma.

One of these hospitals is located at the Marathon City Hall and the other is located at the Florida Keys Community College across from the Lower Keys Medical Center. The Lower Keys Med Center is closed due to storm damage.

Free Pet Emergency Care Available in Key West

The Veterinary Emergency Response Team opens at noon today for all dog and cat emergencies. They have a fully operational hospital, including an operating room.

The pet hospital is located in the back parking lot of La Trattoria (3593 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West). No emergency will be turned away, but please keep in mind they are here for emergency purposes (not vaccines).

All emergency care is at no charge. This team will remain in place until Key West and our local veterinarians are back up and running.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Friday, September 15, 2017

Garbage Collection

Monroe County’s curfew for the Upper Keys, to MM 73 has changed to 10pm to Sunrise. The curfew remains dusk to dawn for the rest of the Keys.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Publix at Searstown Shopping Center Reopened: 10am – 4pm

The store is running on generators with limited hours.

Address: 3316 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040

Wednesday, September 13, 2017