Fla Recovers - Monroe County


MONROE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Emergency Information Hotline 800-955-5504 Mission: Monroe County Emergency Management provides planning and preparedness for, and coordination of response activities to events which threaten the health and safety of Monroe County residents and visitors, and which may damage property and affect the economy within the County. These events include: hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorist activities, waterspouts, mass immigration, hazardous materials accidents, large fires, air crashes, civil disorders, a possible accident at the FP&L Nuclear Power Plant or nuclear attack. To accomplish this mission and to help protect the lives and property of residents and visitors of Monroe County, Emergency Management works closely with local fire-rescue and law enforcement agencies, as well as state, federal, and private agencies, in all phases of emergency management; preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. UPDATE Friday, September 10, 2004 - 4:00 pm Traffic Update: The evacuation of the Keys continues to proceed smoothly with one exception: A traffic backup was reported at the intersection of U.S. One and Palm Drive in Florida City (just south of the Florida Turnpike.) There was about a two mile backup of south bound traffic at this location. Florida city police reprogrammed the traffic light at that location to allow more northbound traffic to get through with each change of the light. Traffic is now reported flowing normally through that intersection with no backup. The Monroe County Sheriff's mobile command post at Florida City reported over 1,400 vehicles left the Keys during the one p.m. hour and that about 480 vehicles entered the Keys during that same time frame. Traffic on other evacuation routes reported as follows: Lower Keys: moderate to heavy traffic, flowing smoothly. Middle Keys: moderate traffic, flowing smoothly. Upper Keys: Light to moderate, flowing smoothly Card Sound Road and 18 mile stretch: moderate, flowing smoothly Florida Turnpike: Traffic reported flowing smoothly system wide, officials report. Snapper Creek area traffic reported moderate. West Palm Beach traffic reported heavier than normal with waits at the gas pumps. Florida Highway Patrol report from EOC in Tallahassee: No major problems reported on state wide roadways. However, motorists should avoid Highway 95 north of Ft. Lauderdale due to previous storm damage. Monroe County Emergency Management officials are urging motorists with no business in the Keys to stay away. Gas supplies in the Keys:* UPPER KEYS: No major lines, some have thousands of gallons and expecting a truckload tomorrow, others limiting to 20 gallons person. Overall looks good except for one station can't pump anymore but will have a supply once the storm passes. Most have good supply but only of regular and diesel. LOWER KEYS: Some didn't answer but another one has a full supply of regular gas and good hurricane supplies otherwise. KEY WEST: Getting truckloads tonight at some, have plenty of all grades of gas and not reporting long lines. One gas station did run out. For more information call Greg Artman 289-2578 or 797-001 Thursday, September 9, 2004. Hurricane Ivan Resident Evacuation Slated to Begin At 7 a.m. Friday for Florida Keys Residents. A mandatory evacuation for all Florida Keys� residents is to begin at 7 a.m. Friday to protect lives in the event Hurricane Ivan impacts the island chain, Keys Emergency Management officials said Thursday. Evacuation times and regions are as follows: 7 a.m.: Key West through the Seven Mile Bridge including the City of Key West and all the Lower Keys. Noon: Middle Keys including Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Duck Key and Conch Key. 4 p.m.: Upper Keys including Ocean Reef, Key Largo, Islamorada and Long Key. Monroe County�s shelter on the Florida mainland is situated at Florida International University. Take U.S. 1 north to the Florida Turnpike and exit east at S.W. 8th Street. Follow the signs to the shelter. The FIU shelter is to open at 5 p.m. Friday. No shelters in the Keys will open for Hurricane Ivan. For people not going to FIU, the Florida Turnpike is the suggested route. Turnpike officials say the road is operational through I-75 to the Florida-Georgia border. I-95 is suggested through Broward County. There is concern with problems on I-95 in Palm Beach and other counties affected by Hurricane Frances. The Monroe County Tourist Development Council�s Web site at www.fla-keys.com has information on transportation resources to leave the Keys as well as hotel accommodations in other counties. Following the storm, information regarding re-entry to the Keys can be obtained via the following: On the Net: Monroe County Sheriff�s Office: www.keysso.net Monroe County Emergency Management: www.monroecounty-fl.gov/EOC/ivan.htm Monroe County Tourist Development Council: www.fla-keys.com Via phone: Monroe County Emergency Information: 1-800-955-5504 Florida Emergency Information Hotline 1-800-342-3557. Thursday, September 9, 2004 County Government Offices Closed beginning 3:00pm, Thursday, September 9, 2004 until further notice. Thursday, September 9, 2004 Closure of County Transfer Stations The three County transfer stations will close at 4:00 PM today, and will remain closed until after the storm. Thursday, September 9, 2004 Traffic update for Keys evacuation routes A check of major evacuation routes out of the Keys shows that the roadways are clear and that traffic is flowing smoothly as the Keys prepare for a mandatory evacuation of residents beginning tomorrow, Friday morning, at 7 a.m. The Sheriff�s Office in conjunction with Monroe County Emergency Management officials will be issuing traffic reports to keep everyone up to date on traffic conditions along major routes such as the Overseas Highway, the Florida Turnpike, I-75, and I-95 up to Ft. Lauderdale. In order to ensure smooth traffic flow, tolls have been lifted on the turnpike and Card Sound Road in the Keys. Currently, emergency management officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for nonresidents, visitors and recreational vehicles (boat trailers and travel trailers are included). Mobile home residents should begin evacuating at 6 p.m. today. Everyone is urged to monitor further advisories on Hurricane Ivan.