Interesting press release from the Fl. Keys EM office

[BonesXL]

Press Release
Hurricane Charley - update
August 11, 2004 - 2:30 p.m.

The Monroe County Office of Emergency Management has ordered a mandatory evacuation of all non-residents and visitors between Key West and Craig Key (the 72 mile marker of highway U.S. One) as of 11 a.m. In order to issue the evacuation order, Monroe County officials have declared a local state of emergency. Vacationers with immediate plans to visit any area in the Florida Keys should postpone their trips until the threat passes. Everyone else in the Florida Keys should continue to monitor Hurricane Charley very closely as it approaches the Keys.

The National Hurricane Center has posted a hurricane watch for the Middle and Lower Florida Keys through the Dry Tortugas. The watch area begins at Craig Key and continues through Marathon, Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys, Key West and the Dry Tortugas. A watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the designated area within 36 hours.

State and county parks will be asked to close later today. All recreational and high-profile vehicles should leave the Keys. Mobile home dwellers should be ready to evacuate if required. At this time there is no evacuation ordered for residents, but circumstances surrounding this storm could change quickly, so everyone should be watching the storm closely. Those in the Upper Keys (Key Largo and Islamorada) should pay close attention to future advisories in the event watches or warnings are extended to that region.

The Monroe County Emergency Operations Center has been activated. Officials from Monroe County Emergency Management are in that location and on hand at the National Hurricane Center in Miami monitoring the storm.

Residents should be making preparations for the storm by taking in all loose items, securing boats and trailers, stocking up on lasts minute items, filling up your car's gas tank and making sure you have enough fuel for generators and other equipment that might be needed during and after the storm. Fill up water containers with fresh water, make sure you have a battery operated radio and enough lamps or flashlights to take you through the storm should power go out.

According to School officials, Monroe County schools are open Wednesday, but schools will close Thursday and Friday.

If you have somewhere you can go outside of the Keys, consider going there. While there is no evacuation ordered for residents at this time, leaving might be a good option depending on your situation. The forecast is calling for the possibility of Tropical Storm force winds in the lower Keys beginning Thursday in the afternoon hours. The National Hurricane Center's web site can be found at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and up to date information about Monroe County advisories can be found on the Sheriff's Office web site at http://www.keysso.net.