Vol. 1, No. 11 Special Edition

September 2005

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Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Traffic on the Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon was flowing again Wednesday as residents who evacuated for the storm returned just a day after Rita passed through the islands.

After Unwelcome Visit From Hurricane Rita, Florida Keys Ready to Welcome Back Vacationers

FLORIDA KEYS - Florida Keys officials recommended visitors could begin returning to the Keys Friday after Hurricane Rita paid the island chain an unwelcome visit Tuesday. Keys residents began returning Wednesday.

Tourism officials counsel visitors to check with lodging facilities in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West to ensure they are operational prior to traveling to the Keys.

Post-Rita status information and phone numbers for Keys chambers of commerce and the tourism council’s visitors bureau can be found at the end of this story or by calling 1-800-FLA-KEYS.

Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Personnel at the The Chesapeake Resort in Islamorada quickly got their property ready for business Wednesday.

“We’re breathing easier,” said Matt Strahan, meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service’s Florida Keys & Key West office. “Monday, we were looking at a high probability of having to contend with Category 2 [96-110 mph] or maybe even Category 3 [111-130 mph] conditions over Key West.”

But storm impacts were in the Category 1 range, with highest sustained winds approaching minimal hurricane strength of 74 mph, according to weather forecasters.

Keys Tourism Council Director Harold Wheeler said members of the tourism industry - like all the residents in the Keys - were relieved the storm did not do more damage.

“We are extremely fortunate to have been impacted only by Category 1 winds,” Wheeler said. “Recovery from a Category 2 or higher storm likely would have taken several weeks or months, but now most of our tourism facilities should be up and running within a matter of days.”

Keys Sheriff Rick Roth said assessments of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway - the major road that connects the Keys to mainland Florida - found the road and bridges to be undamaged by the storm.

Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau

Passengers disembark the first flight arriving at Key West International Airport since before Hurricane Rita brushed the Keys. Key West airport reopened Thursday.

The major problems from Rita, for tourism-related businesses, were caused by tidal surge, that flooded a number of low-lying areas of the Keys. But as the storm moved away from the islands, standing water began to recede. In the wake of the receding water, seaweed and other debris was left on beaches, portions of the Keys Overseas Highway and the runway at Key West International Airport. But crews have been out in force, accomplishing what could be characterized as a fairly quick cleanup.

There are no reports of significant structural damage to buildings from Hurricane Rita.

Florida Keys electric utility officials reported less then 100 of 59,000 customers were without power Thursday afternoon, most of them in the Lower Keys. Officials predicted virtually all electrical service should be restored by Thursday evening.

Both Key West International Airport and Florida Keys Marathon Airport have reopened for commercial and general aviation, respectively. The Port of Key West is to reopen Saturday with the first cruise ships returning Sunday.

Click here for a status of Florida State Parks in the Keys.

Much of the Everglades National Park is now open, but Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West, is closed until further notice.

Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau

An employee at the Pier House Resort in Key West positions chaise lounges on the beach Thursday in anticipation of visitors returning Friday.

ADDITIONAL HELP AND RESOURCES

Florida Keys Web site: www.fla-keys.com

Key Largo Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-822-1088
Islamorada Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-FAB-KEYS
Marathon Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-262-7284
Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-872-3722
Key West Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-LAST-KEY

Florida Keys Weather Office: www.srh.noaa.gov/eyw

Florida Keys Multilingual Visitor’s Assistance: 1-800-771-KEYS

For more travel information on the Florida Keys:
www.fla-keys.com