Administrator Moonis IRMA Recovery Update 6:30PM EOC Call 9/14/17
• A new website has been established by Monroe County. The web address is www.keysrecovery.org. The information is comprehensive and growing.
• The Keys below Islamorada remain closed to the general population. No word on a timetable. Please see information previously posted today.
• The Electric Co-op is reporting out different metrics now stating the following
o Immediately post storm = 5 megawatts, this AM = 35 megawatts and tonight = 50 megawatts (a 15 megawatt increase today) Normal megawatt consumption this time of year = 90 – 130 megawatts.
o 15 Electric trucks in KCB today, many poles and transformers being replaced or repaired. Only electricity in KCB is immediately off US1 near the gas stations and Clara drive. I have no official word that any power is on at any residence this evening…but the trucks are there and working on the KCB grid. Be advised, properties Oceanside may have salt water intrusion in their electric meters… if so, those meters will need to be pulled and then replaced which will delay power to those properties (if they had salt water intrusion).
• Communications are slowly improving for some in the greater Marathon area, however very spotty at best. AT&T and Verizon are in the area so some cell service may start to come back on, albeit SLOWLY. There is Internet service at the Winn Dixie in Big Pine. If you have friends or loved ones who you haven’t had contact with they may get the message to travel to Big Pine to connect.
• Stay away from all Ports, Marinas, and all nearshore waterways. It is dangerous to travel on the water with debris, down powerlines, sunken boats, etc.… FWC and the Coast Guard are on the water and are strictly enforcing their jurisdictional power. Easy answer… don’t get in a boat and come to the keys at this time.
• FKAA reports increased pressure in the Marathon area however the water must be boiled first and without power that poses a significant health problem. Water is ONLY to be used for sanitation purposes. If your water line isn’t broken, water pressure should be holding in the general Marathon area. It isn’t safe to say that pressures are normal in KCB at this point, but are getting stronger.
• Fisherman’s is still closed. Mariner’s has limited emergency capability. The armed services set up a mobile hospital at the City of Marathon, City Hall.
• Curfew has changed for the upper keys to 10pm. The previous curfew in the middle and lower keys has not changed.
• The Sheriff has increased manpower in both the middle and lower keys. There has officially been 2 incidents of looting with the Sherriff and KCB’s Police Chief reports they have has 2 incidents of suspicious persons and they have run them out of KCB. There is a checkpoint at the causeway bridge. Our Chief and his crew are maintaining order on the island and they will have additional manpower coming Friday and then again over the weekend. Those additional manpower are assigned to KCB and will not be pulled from that mission.
• A Search and Rescue Team is on the island and checking door to door for any potential deaths or needed rescue. I have not received any word from that team of any problems. They are clearing the homes, street by street and placing a sticker on each home once cleared.
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