Florida Keys Joint Information Center Updates: Hurricane Milton

Continual updates are made at www.monroecountyem.com/JIC

The Monroe County Emergency Management Joint Information Center (JIC) uses information gathered from Monroe County, Florida Keys municipalities, National Weather Service Key West, and community partners.

Monroe County Emergency Management is coordinating with the National Weather Service Key West and its partners to advise residents on specific details of Hurricane Milton’s impacts on the Florida Keys.

Situation Update

  • No evacuation protective orders are in place or expected at this time
    • Secure yard and property tonight
      • Bring in outdoor furniture and unsecured items
    • Boat owners should ensure their boats are secure, whether in the water or on a trailer on land
    • Monitor reliable sources
  • Residents and visitors are urged to monitor the storm, have a plan, and be prepared to take personal or business protective actions, if needed.

Be prepared for:

  • Downed tree limbs with a few downed trees possible.
  • Isolated to scattered power outages
  • Some fences or signs may be damaged.
  • Hazardous crosswinds on elevated bridges, including Boca Chica, Niles Channel, and 7 Mile Bridges.

Latest Updates

  • Monroe County schools will be closed on Wednesday. The School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday evening, and decisions for Thursday will be made on Wednesday.
  • Snake Creek drawbridge is locked down and will not open for boat traffic.
  • Solid Waste: No collection service in the Lower Keys and Key West (7 Mile Bridge South). Collection service in Middle and Upper Keys, no changes at this time.
  • Bus schedules: Key West Transit and the Lower Keys Shuttle will be suspending service Wednesday and Thursday. Conch Connect will be suspending service Wednesday and will continue to monitor the conditions for Thursday.
  • All FDOT construction projects in Monroe County are temporarily suspended.

National Weather Service Key West Update

Hurricane Milton will move northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico tonight, approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, and make landfall in Florida Wednesday night. Milton is currently a Category 5 hurricane and is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida.

  • A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for all of the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to Key West.
  • A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect for all of the Florida Keys.
  • A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the Dry Tortugas.

Potential impacts to the Florida Keys from Hurricane Milton include:

  • Storm Surge flooding, with saltwater flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground level in low elevation areas on the Gulf and Bayside from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning, possibly into Thursday evening on the Bayside of the Upper Keys. Atlantic-facing shorelines will be susceptible to crashing waves and overwash, leading to saltwater flooding in the adjacent neighborhoods.
  • Potential (about 1 in 3 chance) for sustained tropical storm-force winds of 40 to 50 mph. Tropical storm-force winds could arrive as early as Wednesday morning, but will most likely arrive Wednesday afternoon. Tropical storm-force winds could linger into Thursday morning.
  • Thundery squalls with localized wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph late tonight through Thursday morning.
  • Potential for isolated tornadoes from late tonight through Wednesday night.
  • Additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts, are possible through Thursday morning.
  • Flooding of low-elevation streets and poor drainage areas will be possible in areas impacted by heavy downpours.

Residents and visitors in the Florida Keys should closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Milton. Protective actions to secure loose outdoor objects from strong wind gusts and protect against saltwater flooding should be completed by this evening.

National Weather Service Key West Briefings

Emergency Information

To get emergency information about the storm, sign up for Alert!Monroe at www.monroecountyem.com/alertmonroe.

For tourism updates, visit www.fla-keys.com.

Airports

Check airlines for delays or cancelations.

Government Office Closures

  • Monroe County government: Closed on Wednesday, working remotely where possible.
    • Monroe County Emergency Management is at a level 2: partially activated
    • Local State of Emergency enacted
    • All registered Special Needs patients have been contacted.
  • City of Key West: Closed on Wednesday
  • City of Marathon: Closed on Wednesday
  • City of Layton: Working remotely on Wednesday and Thursday, phone calls and emails will be answered.
  • City of Key Colony Beach: Open
  • Village of Islamorada: No changes at this time
    • Boat ramps will remain open
  • Florida Dept. of Health in Monroe County: Closed on Wednesday
  • 16th Judicial Circuit: Closed on Wednesday (www.keyscourts.net)
  • Clerk of the Court: Closed on Wednesday

Bus Services

Key West Transit/Lower Key Shuttle/Conch Connect

  • The City of Key West’s Lower Keys Shuttle: No service on Wednesday and Thursday
  • Key West Transit: No service on Wednesday and Thursday
  • Monroe County’s Conch Connect: No service Wednesday, will monitor Thursday conditions.

JGT Route 301/302 Upper Keys

  • Normal operations at this time, but will not run when winds reach 35 mph.

Monroe County Social Services Special Transportation Service (STS)

  • No service on Wednesday.

Evacuation Order

  • There are no evacuation orders in place for residents or visitors.
  • Those who live on boats, RVs, campers, or in mobile homes: please seek safe shelter for Wednesday.

Garbage Service

  • Waste Management in Key West and the Lower Keys: No operations on Wednesday.
    • County: Yard Waste will be skipped on Wednesday and recovered on Oct. 16, 2024. Recycling will be recovered on Thursday and will be fully caught up on Friday.
    • City of Key West: Residential (trash, recycle, yard waste) will run a day behind. Wednesday’s service will be on Thursday, Thursday’s service will be on Friday, and Friday’s service will be on Saturday.
  • Marathon Garbage Service (Middle Keys) and Key Sanitary Service (Upper Keys): No changes at this time
  • Village of Islamorada: See their website for updates.

Garbage Service Providers

  • Lower Keys & Key West – Waste Management of Florida (Key West to 7-Mile Bridge) 305-296-8297 (www.wmfloridastorm.com)
  • Middle Keys – Marathon Garbage Service (7-Mile Bridge to MM 72.5) 305-743-5165 (marathongarbageservice.com)
  • Islamorada – Island Disposal (MM 72.5-91)305-393-3300
  • Upper Keys – Keys Sanitary Service (MM 91-102) 305-451-2025 (keyssanitaryservice.com)

Hospitals and Trauma Star

Sand Bags

  • The County does not supply residents with sandbags. With our type of flooding issues, sandbags have proven insufficient in the past. The unique geological composition of the island chain (typically porous coral limestone and coral rock) allows water to rise through the ground, making sandbags inadequate. While sandbags may provide some protection against water entering home entryways, particularly from vehicle wake in urban areas, they do not prevent water from rising through the ground.
  • If you are still looking for solutions, please visit a local hardware store for options.
  • The City of Key West provides sand at Boog Powell Court, the ballfields off 14th Street and 1020 Emma St. in Bahama Village. Community members concerned about possible flooding are urged to help themselves, but they must provide their own bags. Shovels are at the site, but you must fill your own bags.
  • The City of Marathon is giving sand away on the southeast corner of Marathon Community Park. Bring bags and shovels.

Schools

Monroe County Schools will be closed on Wednesday. The School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday evening, and decisions for Thursday will be made on Wednesday.

Monroe County School District

Any changes can be found on the school board’s website and social media.

College of the Florida Keys

The College’s Key West Campus and Middle Keys and Upper Keys Centers will be closed, and all classes will be cancelled on Wednesday.

Shelter Locations

No shelter openings have been announced at this time.

State Parks

All 11 State Parks in Monroe County are closed today and Wednesday.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West

  • Commissary is open on Wednesday
  • Sigsbee and Boca Chica have gas available
  • Navy Exchange and both mini-marts on Boca Chica and Trumbo will be closed Wednesday
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