Special Information From NWS/Key West

THIS STATEMENT DETAILS SPECIFIC PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY ACTIONS
TO BE TAKEN IN THE FLORIDA KEYS OF MONROE COUNTY CONCERNING THE
EFFECTS OF HURRICANE IKE.

..WATCHES/WARNINGS

AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR THE
FLORIDA KEYS AND THE SURROUNDING WATERS.

..PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

MONROE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS ORDERED A MANDATORY
EVACUATION FOR ALL VISITORS…RECREATIONAL VEHICLES…TRAVEL AND
BOAT TRAILERS. VISITORS SHOULD LEAVE THE FLORIDA KEYS…AND
OFFICIALS SUGGEST RELOCATING TO HOTELS ON THE MAINLAND WELL AWAY FROM
COASTAL AREAS. TOLL COLLECTION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED AT THE CARD SOUND
BRIDGE. ALL DRAWBRIDGES MAY BE LOCKED DOWN AT 800 AM SUNDAY.

VISITORS NEEDING TO FIND INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE HOTELS IN FLORIDA
MAY CALL THE VISIT FLORIDA VISITOR ASSISTANCE HOT LINE AT
1-800-287-8598. AT THIS TIME…EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS CONSIDERING
ISSUING A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN LOW LYING
AREAS AND MOBILE HOMES BEGINNING SUNDAY AT 700 AM.

CURRENTLY…GENERAL MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS FOR FLORIDA KEYS
RESIDENTS MAY BEGIN ON SUNDAY IN THREE PHASES. BEGINNING WITH ALL
LOWER KEYS RESIDENTS…INCLUDING THE CITY OF KEY WEST AT 800 AM
SUNDAY…MIDDLE KEYS RESIDENTS INCLUDING MARATHON AND KEY COLONY
BEACH BEGINNING AT NOON SUNDAY…AND FINALLY THE UPPER KEYS
RESIDENTS…INCLUDING ISLAMORADA AND OCEAN REEF AT 400 PM SUNDAY. THE
EVACUATION WILL CONTINUE THROUGH NOON ON MONDAY…BEFORE TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE.

THE SHELTER AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY…JUST OFF THE FLORIDA
TURNPIKE AT U.S. ROUTE 40…TAMIAMI TRAIL…WILL BE OPENING 800 AM SUNDAY BUT WILL NOT ALLOW PETS.

ADDITIONAL SHELTERS ON THE MAINLAND WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS
SOON AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. ALL COUNTY AND STATE PARKS ARE CLOSED.
FORT JEFFERSON NATIONAL PARK IS CLOSED. AT THIS TIME…ALL
COUNTY…STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY. THE KEY
WEST AND MARATHON AIRPORTS WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR ALL COMMERCIAL
FLIGHTS AND GENERAL AVIATION THROUGH AT LEAST SUNDAY EVENING.

..WINDS

WINDS WILL REMAIN SAFE FOR ALL ROAD TRAVEL THROUGH MIDDAY MONDAY.
WINDS MAY BECOME UNSAFE FOR TRAVEL BY MONDAY NIGHT.

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