Key West, Florida

Dry-Tortugas-FL 24.66n 82.86w
Ocean-Reef-FL 25.33n 80.26w


Attn... WFO... key...

220 PM EDT sun Sep 7 2008

... Hurricane Watch remains in effect...

... New information...

Updated 2 PM position for Hurricane Ike.
Updated preparedness section to include transportation... hospital
and shelter information.

... Areas affected...

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...

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for all the Florida Keys and the
surrounding waters. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are
possible within 36 hours of the watch area.

... Precautionary/preparedness actions...

As of 800 am... Monroe County emergency management has ordered a
mandatory evacuation for all Florida Keys residents and tourists.
Anyone needing to find information on available hotels in Florida
may call the Florida assistance hot line at 1-800-287-8598.

General mandatory evacuation orders for Florida Keys residents has
been invoked today in three phases... beginning with all Lower Keys
residents including the city of Key West at 8 am... Middle Keys
residents including Marathon and Key Colony Beach beginning at
noon... and finally the Upper Keys residents... including Islamorada
and Ocean Reef at 4 PM. The evacuation will continue through
Monday... before tropical storm force winds are expected to arrive.
The official Monroe County shelter at Florida International
University... just off the Florida Turnpike at U.S. Route 41...
Tamiami Trail... in Miami will open at 8 am this morning... but will
not allow pets. No shelters will be open in the Florida Keys.

As of 800 am... the city of Key West will operate an evacuation
shuttle... for residents who lack their own means of transportation
into Monday morning. This shuttle will take residents to the Monroe
County shelter in Miami. Pick-up locations in Key West will be as
follows... Douglass gym in Bahama Village... Key West High
School... searstown on Northside drive... and Bernstein Park on Stock
Island. The shuttles will also pickup residents at normal bus stop
locations in the Lower and Middle Keys up through Marathon.
Greyhound operations will continue a regular bus schedule with
departures at 545 PM this afternoon and the last departure scheduled
at 855 am Monday. In addition... there are still rental cars
available at the Key West Airport... and they are to remain open for
rentals as long as cars are available... or until the terminals
closes tonight at 10 PM.

Keys hospital emergency rooms are to remain open until 7 am
Monday... but possibly remain open longer if there are enough
personnel to man them. Dry Tortugas National Park... along with all
County and state Parks are closed. Monroe County schools will be
closed on Monday and Tuesday. All County... state and federal offices
will be closed on Monday. The Key West and Marathon airports will
remain open for all commercial flights today... but the last
commercial flight will be at 705 PM tonight. Otherwise... general
aviation will remain open until noon Monday.

... Probability of hurricane/tropical storm conditions...

For Key West... there is a 69 percent chance of sustained winds
39 mph or greater. There is a 21 percent chance of sustained
winds 74 mph or greater.

For Marathon... there is a 65 percent chance of sustained winds
39 mph or greater. There is a 16 percent chance of sustained
winds 74 mph or greater.

For Miami... there is a 41 percent chance of sustained winds
39 mph or greater. There is a 5 percent chance of sustained winds
74 mph or greater.

... Marine impacts...

As of 800 am... Snake Creek and old Jewfish Creek drawbridges are
locked down. Winds are expected to remain 15 knots or less through
this evening.

... Next update...

The next local statement concerning the impacts of Hurricane Ike
to the Florida Keys will be issued by 6 PM... or sooner if new
information becomes available.


Apa