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- Updates from the Islands -- - Florida Keys - - |
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| - WILMA APPROACHES THE FLORIDA KEYS |
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After ravaging Cancun, WILMA has broken free of the Yucatan and now is moving NE at 12 mph. Key West is in the bore sight of yet another hurricane. Hurricane Warnings are posted for the Florida Keys. The high tides are higher than usual this week, which will be problematic with storm surges that are predicted with WILMA. We expect localized flooding, high winds and a lot of rain. Sector Key West personnel will stay on watch for the duration of the storm, and will be available to assist in the post storm clean up. A USCG H65 helicopter is standing by today, until Tropical Storm winds start to provide SAR coverage, now that local hospitals are closing. We are ready! CAPT Phil Heyl, USCG Commander, Sector Key West Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - Key West Prepares for WILMA |
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1315 on 22 OCT Key West Florida At 1200 today Monroe County ordered the evacuation of its residents. This will be the third evacuation this hurricane season... and the communications and coordination between State, Local, and Federal level have steadily improved. We are ready. The USCG families are on the way to Orlando. I am most concerned about the possible storm surges associated with this Storm. Although it is predicted to become a fast mover after it leaves the Yucatan, none of the Hurricanes this year have tracked as predicted. It is prudent to evacuate ahead of a storm like WILMA! The Coast Guard is ready for the storm, will maintain a Search and Rescue posture until just before the storm hits, and will be ready to assist just after it passes. The Port will be closed 12 hours before Tropical Storm force winds... which are scheduled for 2000 on Sunday evening right now... the Port will be closed as of 0800 on Sunday, 23 OCT. Possibly adding to the potential surge problem will be the timing of the arrival of WILMA's CPA with high tide which is at 0234 in Key West. We are concerned for the people of Cancun, and out thoughts and prayers are with them as we begin to watch WILMA make its trek across the Gulf of Mexico towards us. Be safe! Semper Paratus! Phil Heyl CAPT, USCG SECTOR COMMANDER SECTOR KEY WEST |
| - Rita Leaves Key West Con't |
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Today, during the height of the hurricane, U.S. Coast Guard Station Marathon responded to a report of a Commercial Fishing vessel on fire. The crew of the Station's 47 foot Motor Life Boat (the USCG's self-righting surf rescue boat) got underway, found the fishing vessel adrift. There was no fire, or engine, and no one on board. Apparently the vessel was adrift from its moorings due to the storm. This response during the hurricane typifies the dedication and pride Coast Guard men and women demonstrate every day.
As this storm intensifies and heads to the Gulf Coast, we in the Coast Guard want the fine people of the Gulf coast to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. God speed!
CAPT Phil Heyl
Commander, Sector Key West
Captain of the Port Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - Rita Leaves Key West |
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As residents of Key West we are relieved that the track of Rita has passed through the Florida Straits, neatly shooting the gap between Florida and Cuba. The U.S. Coast Guard is still closely monitoring the storm and we are on watch 24/7 to respond to any damage caused by Rita. Currently the wind is still gusting to 50 kts. The Coast Guard is actively patrolling the Florida Straits, providing Search and Rescue coverage and "defending paradise." |
| - RITA visits Key West |
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Greetings from Key West!
RITA has intensified to a CAT 1 hurricane. It is (Time: 1145Q) raining with winds at 36 kts gusting to 42kts. We expect RITA's CPA at 1500 to be 36 miles from Key West with steady 50-60 knot winds gusting to 75 kts. We are also concerned about a 5-7 ft storm surge that will occur at high tide... since we are experiencing Spring tides right now. So far we have not had power problems at CG Sector Key West.
The Coast Guard in the Upper Keys -- Station Islamorada, the Middle Keys -- Marathon, and Lower Keys -- Key West are standing by waiting for RITA to pass this afternoon so that we can get the initial post-storm assessments done and move into the recovery mode.
Semper Paratus!
CAPT Phil Heyl
Commander, Sector Key West
Captain of the Port
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| - RITA | |
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| - Fwd: [HURR] - Rita | |
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| - T/S RITA APPROACHES KEY WEST |
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Key West is in the bore sight of Tropical Storm RITA. We anticipate the Storm reaching CAT 1 Hurricane status before it arrives at the Florida Keys tomorrow afternoon. The good news is that it is a fast moving storm (so far) and it will arrive during the day... the bad news is that we are having full moon Spring tides so that any surge during high tide will be more destructive. Monroe County has ordered an evacuation of residents for all of the Florida Keys (Lower - Key West, Middle, and Upper). The evacuation was done during the day today (Monday, 19 September) and has proceeded in a very orderly and efficient manner thanks to the superb effort of the Florida Highway Patrol, Monroe County Sheriff, and all of the local Police Departments, in cluding the Big Blue in Key West!
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West has been involved in several Search and Rescue cases for boaters who needed assistance today. In one, we had a family of three who were on a 40 ft homemade sailboat that ran aground at South Sound Creek, Islamorada. USCG Station Islamorada responded to assist and made sure the family were safely ashore and transferred to a Shelter. We continue to have liaison officers at both the Monroe County and City of Key West Emergency Operations Centers.
Sector Key WEST in is in Hurricane Condition 1, our equipment and rescue boats battened down, and stowed properly to be prepared to respond to post storm emergencies. There are a core of 40 Coast Guard men and women here in Sector Key West who will assist the City in Search and Rescue after the hurricane passes, and will assist in opening the port of Key West to get the City back to normal. Both Stations Marathon and Station Islamorada will have crews ready to perform these functions in their respective areas of responsibilities in the Florida Keys.
Coast Guard Sector Key West is committed to serve the Florida Keys as "Defenders of Paradise!"
We live to be Semper Paratus -- Always Ready!
CAPT Phil Heyl
Commander, Sector Key West
Captain of the Port
Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - FLORIDA KEYS | |
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| - ...dennis assessment/cleanup |
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We certainly were mostly lucky this time.
A newscaster named this 'damage, not destruction'
That mostly covers it here in the keys.
Lots of tree damage, some homes damaged
heavily. Homeowners and business owners
putting in long hours trying to return to normal.
Our house sustained damage to the roof, minor.
Damage to trees, major.
Our biz lost the frame aluminum awnings that
covered our parking, water inside downstairs,
but up fine.
Folks seem to be mostly grateful.
We certainly feel grateful and relieved.
Cautiously watching the Atlantic,
as the waves that could become
potential Emily, Franklin and GERT(!)
line up in a row.....sure is early for this
kind of action.
We leave most shutters up, some preparations
in place, reassessing for future preparation.
Prayers for aid and peace for those of our
island neighbors hard hit by Dennis.
midge Jolly
Sugarloaf Key
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - Dennis due west |
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Dennis is now due west of the lower keys.
Winds still sustained strong with gusts
continuous. Mariposa seems to be
okay, Trees down, power still out,
US1 Radio online and reporting that the
keys 'dodged a big bullet'.
Tom has been out to check out our
island, says he finds little structural damage
along Crane Blvd, some trees down.
More later, as
midge Jolly
Mariposa/Sugarloaf Key MM19
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - Sunrise in Key West on 9 JUL |
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At Sunrise today winds were 45-55 KTS, with gusts to 65 KTS... with rain coming in bands, heavy at times. The sky is overcast.
The U.S. Coast Guard is on watch. We remind you to remain in safe shelter until the storm has passed... Do not venture out onto the roadways from your place of safety... a Tornado watch is in effect for the Florida Keys until 0900 today... a flood watch is in effect, high tide here in Key West will be at 1106 this morning. there have been downed trees, a transformer is down in Trumbo and there is no electricity in government housing at Trumbo Point.
DENNIS was significantly weakened when it passed over Cuba... we are watching it closely to see if it stays on course of 325 at 1`2 KTS.
Be safe,
Semper Paratus!
CAPT Phil Heyl
Captain of the Port,
Key West Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - and the wind picks up... |
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2AM, not much sleep for this woman tonight it seems.
Cats distressed, doors creaking back and forth,
all kinds of stuff flying around, swirling around
outside, who knows what. Imagine some of it is
my container veggie/herb garden on the back deck.
Everyone else sleeping, not sure why I am not...
Winds strong sustained and gusty to shake the house
out of the east, little rain and muggy as all get out.
Power came back on for about half an hour around 11:30,
lost it again before midnight. see video of Key West
with South RooseveltBlvd under water and Duval Street
boarded up.
Thankfully the little bit of reporting I saw out of Miami seemed
to be less sensational than usual, mostly just concerned and
informative....Although it does beg the question, if there is a
mandatory evacuation, why are the news folks still here?
Thankful for choices and safe haven, wish the same for
the rest of our island neighbors and those still in the
path of Dennis as he continues into the Gulf of Mexico.
thankful too for laptop battery and phone lines working,
stormcarib.com to type off some energy and share with
our island neighbors...
midge Jolly
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - ...10PM power out... |
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10PM, power out in the Lower Keys.
We can usually see the glow of Key West
from our home as well as other lights on
Lower Sugarloaf and the glow of light
between here and Key West.
Tonight the only light seems to be from the
Sugarloaf Volunteer Fire Department---they
do have a generator.
We have decided not to turn the generator on
and try to get some rest before the expected
strongest of the storm comes in the morning.
Safe rest and recovery...
midge Jolly
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - dark approaches... |
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Winds picking up-gusting up to 55 as of 8PM.
Rain comes and goes, strong bands and
almost horizontal occassionally.
Will report again once the sun comes up
here in the keys~as soon as I am able.
Safe night wished for all...
midge Jolly
Sugarloaf Key-MM19
windy and rainy
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - Hurricane DENNIS -- Key West Update |
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1900 on 8 JUL 05 Hurricane DENNIS Location Lat 22.7 N - Long 81.4 W (Nat. Hurricane Center) Sustained wind speed 125 mph... downgraded to a CAT 3. It is anticipated that DENNIS will increase in speed and intensity once it clears Cuba.
Currently the Closest Point of Approach to the Keys will be 55 NM (63 SM) WNW of Key West at 0300 0n 09 July. Max winds expected on Station are 50-60 KTS gusting to 70 KTS. Heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms, some severe through Saturday afternoon. Possible tornadoes. Currently the wind speed is 35 KTS.
The Coast Guard Station at ISLAMORADA saved 5 souls today, launching the rescue boat in marginal conditions. The Station is currently monitoring the safety of a 30 FT open fishing boat as it makes its way to shore.
Sector Key West Coast Guard Base is secure for high winds. All personnel are resting in anticipation of the passing of the weather bands associated with this Hurricane early tomorrow morning. The Coast Guard families in the Lower Keys have been safely evacuated North and inland to Orlando.
Semper Paratus!
CAPT P.J. Heyl
Captain of the Port, Key West
Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - Hurricane DENNIS -- Key West Update |
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1900 on 8 JUL 05 Hurricane DENNIS Location Lat 22.7 N - Long 81.4 W (Nat. Hurricane Center) Sustained wind speed 125 mph... downgraded to a CAT 3. It is anticipated that DENNIS will increase in speed and intensity once it clears Cuba.
Currently the Closest Point of Approach to the Keys will be 55 NM (63 SM) WNW of Key West at 0300 0n 09 July. Max winds expected on Station are 50-60 KTS gusting to 70 KTS. Heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms, some severe through Saturday afternoon. Possible tornadoes. Currently the wind speed is 35 KTS.
The Coast Guard Station at ISLAMORADA saved 5 souls today, launching the rescue boat in marginal conditions. The Station is currently monitoring the safety of a 30 FT open fishing boat as it makes its way to shore.
Sector Key West Coast Guard Base is secure for high winds. All personnel are resting in anticipation of the passing of the weather bands associated with this Hurricane early tomorrow morning. The Coast Guard families in the Lower Keys have been safely evacuated North and inland to Orlando.
Semper Paratus!
CAPT P.J. Heyl
Captain of the Port, Key West
Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - DENNIS Approaches Key West |
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0800 on 8 JUL 05 Hurricane DENNIS Location Lat 20.9 N - Long 79.5 W (Nat. Hurricane Center) Sustained wind speed 150 mph
Key West and the lower keys west of the 7 mile bridge are currently under a "Hurricane warning," the middle and upper Keys are under a "Hurricane watch." DENNIS has strengthened to a CAT 3 to 4, and the CPA is currently 75nm west of Key West. Key West and the lower Keys west of the 7 mile bridge are subject to a mandatory evacuation which is currently underway and progressing well. The Monroe County and the City of Key West EOCs have been stood up and are doing an excellent job passing information.
The U.S. Coast Guard in Key West (Sector Key West) will remain Search and Rescue - Ready until the winds exceed gale force, and then the rescue vessels will be secured for the onset of hurricane force winds. As Captain of the Port, all of the Ports in the Florida Keys have been closed as of 0700 this morning, including the Port of Key West. The major cutters are evading the storm, and will be poised to return to assist Key West, if needed. Sector Key West personnel will ride the storm out here on Station, and will be available for post-storm assessments and to ensure the ports are ready to be re-opened after DENNIS passes.
Semper Paratus! Always Ready!
CAPT P.J. Heyl, USCG
Captain of the Port
Sector Commander
Key West, FL Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - DENNIS Approaches Key West |
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0800 on 8 JUL 05 Hurricane DENNIS Location Lat 20.9 N - Long 79.5 W (Nat. Hurricane Center) Sustained wind speed 150 mph
Key West and the lower keys west of the 7 mile bridge are currently under a "Hurricane warning," the middle and upper Keys are under a "Hurricane watch." DENNIS has strengthened to a CAT 3 to 4, and the CPA is currently 75nm west of Key West. Key West and the lower Keys west of the 7 mile bridge are subject to a mandatory evacuation which is currently underway and progressing well. The Monroe County and the City of Key West EOCs have been stood up and are doing an excellent job passing information.
The U.S. Coast Guard in Key West (Sector Key West) will remain Search and Rescue - Ready until the winds exceed gale force, and then the rescue vessels will be secured for the onset of hurricane force winds. As Captain of the Port, all of the Ports in the Florida Keys have been closed as of 0700 this morning, including the Port of Key West. The major cutters are evading the storm, and will be poised to return to assist Key West, if needed. Sector Key West personnel will ride the storm out here on Station, and will be available for post-storm assessments and to ensure the ports are ready to be re-opened after DENNIS passes.
Semper Paratus! Always Ready!
CAPT P.J. Heyl, USCG
Captain of the Port
Sector Commander
Key West, FL Phillip J. Heyl Rio del Viento, S.A. |
| - rain starting... |
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We are now experiencing heavy bands of rain,
with gusts up to 35mph. In between is calm as
can be.
Word from Key West is that few homes are
boarded up, although some businesses are
doing so this AM. Key West friends tell us that
the mood is 'calm' and folks are out and about
on the streets. Kind of like the old days during
summer anytime. Traffic out of KW reported
to be light but picking up again.
Many folks still holding out for the 11AM update
from the National Hurricane Center, ready to head
out for the mainland and parts north
if Dennis fails to move off more westward.
Almost finished securing the office. Nursery and
yard at the office may not get much attention,
other than some prayers for calm. We are ready
to get home and get the cats rounded up and
settle in for the wait...
wishing all peace and safety.
midge Jolly
Sugarloaf Key-MM19
~100miles from Cuba!
~150 from Miami
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - red sky at morning... |
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red sky at morning, sailors take warning.
25 years in the Keys and never a sunrise
with so much red sky...
Roads look quiet at 7AM, were steady
throughout the night.
Off to finish securing as much as possible
at the office, then home to complete
securing the yard here.
Can hardly believe that we are staying,
never done this before, usually out of here
long before we get to this point.
Definitely taking it seriously, however,
at this point the extraordinary amount of
energy to leave seems more than we can
manage AND secure our livelihood
before hittig the road...trust it will be the right
decision for our family.
Holding our Cuban neighbors in our hearts
and wishing a rapid recovery for the islands
coming out from under the clouds as
Dennis has passed over...
midge Jolly
Sugarloaf Key-mile marker 19
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - Florida Keys - Hurricane Dennis | |
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| - Florida Keys report |
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Weather here breezy and picking up.
The cats know something is up...must be the shutters
that gave us away. The wild birds are flying away
from the storms approach...
Most islanders preparing their homes as best they can.
Visitors have been ordered to evacuate---as have RVs,
etc...from the entire keys.
Seven Mile Bridge, west, now under Hurricane Warning
and as of late this afternoon has mandatory evac order
for ALL residents...it is kind of late to secure all AND
evac for those with home and biz here...so we are doing
the best we can this time and planning to ride it out.
Finished boarding up the biz and shuttering the house,
now to pack up all of the first floor paperwork and
office equipment to get it out of harms way, if that
is possible.
The roads are already pretty congested.
Fuel stations are 15-20 deep in line...
Lots of air traffic, unusual...sounds like Naval Air Station
Key West may be evacuating all of their expensive aircraft.
we practice patience and pray for the safety of those in
the path of Hurricane Dennis, and after...
midge Jolly
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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| - Dennis |
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There are long lines at the gas stations and the upper keys roads look like a parking lot as The Weather Channel (sponsored by Home Depot) works everyone up into lather. I am boarding up the school on Big Pine Key (mile marker 30) where I'm the principal, and we will board up the house and the business down in Key West -- basically, the standard hurricane prep routine. I have three very young children, but the drive out seems as hazardous as staying. We will use a generator for a fan and TV when the power goes out, and it will be uncomfortable, but I feel we will be ok. Bit exhausting and anxious, but that's island life in the summer. |
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