Update posted on our blog at floridakeyssheriff.blogspot.com
Update: Now that we have an internet connection (albeit slow) let me give you all some updated information.
First and foremost, you cannot return to the county if you live south of Islamorada. We are only allowing residents and business owners from Islamorada north to return at this time. You must have a yellow reentry sticker or proof of residency or proof you own a business or property before we will let you in. It is not yet safe for those in the middle and lower Keys to return. As soon as it is safe, we will let you know. For now, if you live in the middle and lower Keys and try to return, you will be stopped in Florida City and will not be allowed to return. There is currently a curfew in effect county-wide. No one is allowed on the street between sunset and sunrise. There is no 911 service right now. We are working hard to restore this service. It is a top priority.
Hospitals:
Lower Keys Hospital and Mariner’s Hospital are open with minimal services being offered. Fishermen’s Hospital is closed. Triage stations have been set up to help those with emergencies. They are located at Florida Keys Community College on Stock Island, Marathon City Hall and at Florida Keys Electric Co-op at the 92 mile marker in Tavermier.
There are extremely limited communications in the Florida Keys and this applies to first responders, Emergency Management and other county government offices as well as residents.
We are working to get some communications abilities restored. AT&T is setting up temporary towers for cell service which will allow some limited connectivity.
Florida Department of Transportation has been working hard to repair the roadways and has most areas at least temporarily patched and cleaned up. Water and electric are still limited throughout the Keys.
If you are returning to the Upper Keys, you should know you may not have these services; you will also find very limited supplies available so bring food, water and other necessities with you.
Utility companies are working hard to restore these services and there are some pockets where power and water are now up and running. Please be patient. There is a lot of damage and they have to go street by street to make repairs in some instances.