IRMA RECOVERY UPDATE
GREAT NEWS! Our first responders that stayed in KCB are safe. Chief Kris reports that he is assessing, but he has no news of injuries.
His preliminary assessment, reported from some residents, is they received about 3 feet of water into their homes, but limited overall structural damage. (Please understand this is only an estimate of water infiltration at some specific locations and should not be construed to mean everyone in KCB. There are many elevations of property in KCB.) Keep in mind no official assessment has been completed of structures or infrastructure at this time. We are working as swiftly as possible. We have limited communication as well.
FROM THE EOC. THE KEYS ARE CLOSED. KEY WEST HAS TOO MANY REFUGEES AND NEEDS TO GET PEOPLE OUT. REFUGEE PROBLEMS ARE ACROSS THE ENTIRE KEYS. THERE ARE NO SERVICES TO SUPPORT ANYONE BUT THE HIGHEST PRIORITY PERSONNEL. THE HIGHWAY PATROL IS TURNING AROUND PEOPLE IN FLORIDA CITY.
– FDOT and the Sheriff are checking to see if the bridges and roads are safe so we can get first responders and workers in to restore services;
– FKEC and FKAA are working to restore services, but need their crews in. Once again, the problem is being worked from Florida City down and KW up;
– Cell service is limited to Islamorada and none further south;
– Air National Guard starting rescue flights today.
I have run an Admiral’s command center for a carrier battle group in the Persian Gulf and I can tell you that we have a great emergency team in the Keys. They are extremely professional and we all just need to be patient.