Tropical Storm-Force Winds Beginning to Diminish in Keys

Tropical storm-force winds, eminating from Hurricane Helene, are beginning to diminish across the Florida Keys island chain according to meteorologists at the Florida Keys National Weather Service.

However, late Thursday night the National Hurricane Center continued a tropical storm warning for the Keys and other regions up Florida's east and southwest coasts. The warning is likely to be lifted early Friday.

Visitors and residents in the Florida Keys are advised to stay off the roads and the water late Thursday night and early Friday due to the hazardous weather conditions.

The tropical cyclone strengthened into a major hurricane Thursday with its dangerous core staying away from the Florida Keys island chain. However, varying impacts are being felt across most of Florida due to sustained tropical storm-force winds (beginning at 39 mph) extending some 310 miles from the storm’s center, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Outer rain bands should affect the Florida Keys through early Friday, with a forecast of sustained winds of up to 40 mph with the potential for higher gusts.

In addition, the weather service is maintaining a coastal flood warning for all of the Keys due to the potential of saltwater flooding from possible storm surge impacts of 1 to 3 feet.

Both Key West International Airport and Florida Keys Marathon Airports are open, but passengers should check with their airlines prior to traveling to airports.

Monroe County Emergency Management Director Shannon Weiner urged residents and visitors to remain indoors until the tropical storm warning is discontinued. For marine interests, the Keys weather office plans to issue a small craft advisory urging boaters to remain in port until winds and seas further subside.

Weather conditions are to substanially improve Friday and Saturday.

No significant infrastructure impacts have been reported, according to Monroe County Emergency Management officials.