Hurricane Ian: Storm Surge Warning for the Lower Keys in Effect; Flooding may continue throughout the day

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Emergency Management is coordinating preparedness efforts with local, state, and federal partners due to the potential threat of Hurricane Ian.

From the National Weather Service – Key West: A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the Lower Florida Keys including Key West through Big Pine Key – Act now to protect property that may be at risk from storm surge flooding.

Widespread Storm Surge Flooding originating from the Gulfside of 2 to 4 feet above normal high tide levels is expected from Key West through Big Pine Key.  For several islands, this may allow the storm surge to pass over from Gulfside to oceanside.  The peak storm surge levels will likely occur from sometime after noon into late afternoon.

Many streets will become impassable with water into the ground floor of some homes and businesses, especially those in lower elevation areas.

A Storm Surge Watch remains in effect for the Middle and Upper Florida Keys, from Marathon through Ocean Reef, as well as islands east of Big Pine Key.

Storm surge flooding 1 to 3 feet above normal high tides is possible.

The highest storm surge for the Gulfside/Bayside of the Middle Keys is expected later today during the afternoon hours, with the storm surge in the Bayside of the Upper Keys gradually peaking Thursday through Friday.

Frequent Tropical Storm Force Wind Gusts continue over mainly the Lower Florida Keys, and occasionally in the Middle and Lower Keys.

Winds are expected to continue to decrease through the remainder of the morning.

Scattered squalls may briefly produce wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph today.

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER

– Monroe County government offices and schools will be closed on Wednesday. The decision for Thursday will be made later today.

– The Monroe County shelter at Key West High School had 118 overnight guests.

– Trauma Star helicopters are not in flight today as long as windy conditions persist.

– Emergency operations (police and fire) are in operation.

– 6,400 people reported without power in Lower Keys (7 Mile Bridge – south). No reported outages in Marathon north. Please be aware of generator safety – do not use in closed areas, in garages, or near windows to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poising.

– DOWNED POWERLINES – Powerlines are starting to be re-energized. Stay away from downed or low-hanging powerlines. Electric and water do not mix. Treat all power lines as being live.

– The Snake Creek Bridge drawbridge is locked down to boat traffic.

– No garbage collection in Monroe County on Wednesday, updates posted at www.monroecountyem.com/Ian.

– Key West International airport is closed Wednesday. Plans to reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday. Please contact your airline for any changes regarding flights.

– US1 is passable at this time, including Sea Oats Beach in Islamorada, which had washover last night and was impassable.

Hurricane preparation information can be found at www.monroecountyem.com. For tourism, visit www.fla-keys.com. To get emergency information about the storm, sign up for Alert!Monroe at www.monroecountyem.com. Detailed County-wide storm information can be found at www.monroecountyem.com/JIC.

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