Tropical Storm Fay Current Conditions
Tropical storm warning in effect for Monroe County

Posted Monday, August 18, 2008

 


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Tropical Storm Fay is continuing its progress to the Florida Keys and sustained tropical storm-force winds (39 mph to 60 mph) are anticipated to arrive in the Lower Keys and Key West prior to noon and in the Middle and Upper Keys a few hours later, according to the Key West National Weather Service office.

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Roth reports traffic on the Overseas Highway is light and does not anticipate closing the road during the storm.

However, he cautions people to not travel on the road and to remain indoors throughout the duration of the storm.

"Keep in mind, once tropical storm winds arrive we cannot guarantee a response in an emergency situation so if you choose to drive during dangerous winds, you may be on your own," Roth said. "Ambulance crews and firefighters may not be available either."

Due to extremely heavy weather in parts of the Florida Keys, people should NOT be driving on county roadways. It is extremely dangerous; there are many areas with deep standing water which can stop a car in it's tracks. Because of the heavy weather, there may be no emergency services to respond if you get stuck or if you get into an accident.

A representative from the Monroe County Sherrif's Office states that they are getting reports of a waterspout off the south end of the Seven Mile Bridge, as well as isolated tornados in the Big Pine Key area. Both ends of the Bahia Honda Bridge are flooding and there is heavy flooding near 52nd Street in Marathon.

There are scattered power outages being reported in the lower Keys.

Some Keys Fay updates:

• * Florida Keys Marathon and Key West International Airports closed at 10 a.m. Monday.
• * Garbage pickup will continue until the arrival of tropical storm-force winds made working conditions unsafe.
• * Courts are closed Monday and Tuesday.
• * Monroe County office, including the Sheriff's Office, are closed Monday and Tuesday.
• * A decision on whether to hold Wednesday's scheduled Monroe County Commission meeting will be made and announced prior to Wednesday.
• * Monroe County schools and Florida Keys Community College are closed Monday and Tuesday.
• * Monroe County Emergency Management official report a total of 126 people that are in county shelters.
• * Most in-county and city bus services have been suspended.
• * Hospitals remain open, but elective medical procedures have been postponed.
• * Monroe County's Emergency Operations Center is fully activated. For Keys emergency-related questions call 1-800-955-5504.

Additional Resources: Monroe County Emergency Information: (800) 955-5504 Keys Tourism Help Line: (800) 771-KEYS Monroe County Situation Report: www.monroecounty-fl.gov National Hurricane Center Web site: www.nhc.noaa.gov Monroe County Sheriff's Office: www.keysso.net Keys Tourism Council: www.fla-keys.com