Monroe County EOC update Sunday

UPDATE #1 9/17/17 8:30 A.M. EOC Briefing – Hurricane Irma Recovery DAY 1 OF KEY WEST AND LOWER KEYS RESIDENTS RE-ENTRY! KEY WEST- Movement of debris is major focus to clear parking for returning residents. FEMA tent going up for residents at Fire Station #2 at Simonton and Angela Streets. EOC is working to close the FIU and Fairgrounds shelters. […]

FEMA activates emergency lodging assistance program in Keys

Florida Keys residents with homes damaged by Hurricane Irma and hotels able to accommodate those Monroe County residents are eligible for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has activated its lodging program. FEMA’s Emergency Lodging Assistance (ELA) program provides temporary shelter and lodging reimbursement for pre-qualified individuals. Program administrator CLC Lodging provides rule-based payments for qualified applicants […]

Key West Businesses reopening

Schooner Wharf welcomes customers back.           The Porch will be reopening today at 11 a.m. Paradise Tattoo is open for business 10a-6p!!! Small sheet of Irma tattoos available to first 10 customers for $100…half of which will go to disaster relief. Also the staff will be handing out supplies such as water, food, air mattresses, toys, […]

Frequently Asked Questions for Keys re-entry

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding re-entry to the Florida Keys: Q: What proof of residency, home ownership or business ownership is needed for re-entry? A: Decals facilitate re-entry by allowing law enforcement to wave vehicles through at a glance. Those without decals will be admitted with other documents such as driver’s license with a Keys address, property deed or […]

From the Inside: We will rebuild!


—Jennifer White is a 9-year resident of Key West and works as the manager of Tiki House. She rode out Hurricance Irma at the Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel and returned to her home on Monday along with her husband and two dogs. This is her story. It’s day 6 and we finally have power at the house. The moment […]

Emergency water restrictions

Big fines for abusers

Monroe County Emergency Management issued an emergency directive to restrict water use for kitchen needs, showering, washing clothes, toilet flushing and other sanitary uses. It is prohibited to use Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority–provided water for washing cars, boats, the exterior of houses and especially filling swimming pools. Those found in violation will be liable to be charged with a second-degree […]

Lower Keys open

MONROE COUNTY OPENS LOWER KEYS SUNDAY TO RESIDENTS; RESTRICTED ACCESS TO SOME NEIGHBORHOODS Beginning Sunday at 7 a.m., Monroe County will remove the roadblock from the north end of the Seven Mile Bridge and all residents and business owners of the Lower Keys will be allowed to return. The checkpoint entering the Keys, in Florida City on U.S. Highway 1, […]

Sheriff’s adopts zero-tolerance policy for post-Irma crime

Sheriff Rick Ramsay wants to remind everyone that during the recovery from Hurricane Irma the Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate those who take advantage of circumstances to commit crimes, nor will he tolerate breaches of curfew or other rules set to keep the community safe.

Key West evacuees gather in Orlando

Clockwise from left, David Quick, Dane Jaryyd, Bria Ansara, Christopher Aielo, Carlos Sopo, Brian Wisor, Brian Daniel Stewart.  

Red Cross delivering meals in Key West