The Monroe County Emergency Management Joint Information Center (JIC) uses information gathered from Monroe County, Florida Keys municipalities, National Weather Service Key West, and community partners.
Monroe County Emergency Management is coordinating with the National Weather Service Key West and its partners to advise residents on specific details of Hurricane Milton’s impacts on the Florida Keys.
Situation Update
- No protective orders are in place at this time
- Residents and visitors are urged to monitor the storm, have a plan, and be prepared to take personal or business protective actions, if needed.
Latest Updates
- No office closures at this time
- Solid Waste is running as normal
- Airports are open
National Weather Service Key West Update
Tropical Storm Milton is forecast to move across the Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula. Milton is forecast to become a hurricane tonight and could become a major hurricane before approaching the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek.
There are no tropical storm watches or warnings currently in effect for any portion of the Florida Keys.
There remains uncertainty in the level of potential impacts on the Florida Keys. These impacts may include:
- Coastal flooding, with potential saltwater flooding over Gulfside and Bayside locations of the Florida Keys Wednesday through Thursday. The highest coastal flooding may occur along the eastern portion of Florida Bay Wednesday through early Thursday. Details on the potential levels of storm surge flooding will become available later today.
- High potential (1 in 2 chance) for tropical storm force winds. If realized, tropical storm-force winds could arrive as early as Tuesday afternoon, but will most likely arrive early Wednesday morning.
- Several thundery squalls with localized wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph Tuesday night through Wednesday.
- Flooding rainfall is possible with amounts from today through Wednesday night most likely in the 5 to 8 inch range, with isolated locations receiving as much as 12 inches. Flooding of low-elevation streets and poor drainage areas may result.
Residents and visitors in the Florida Keys should closely monitor the future progress of Tropical Storm Milton in the event protective actions become necessary.
National Weather Service Key West Briefings
- National Weather Service Key West Briefings: https://www.weather.gov/media/key/DSS/dssbrief_land.pdf
- National Weather Service Key West Marine Briefings: https://www.weather.gov/media/key/DSS/dssbrief_marine.pdf
For tourism updates, visit www.fla-keys.com. To get emergency information about the storm, sign up for Alert!Monroe at www.monroecountyem.com.
Airports
The airports are open. Check airlines for delays or cancelations.
- Airline information: www.eyw.com.
Government Office Closures
- Monroe County government: No changes at this time
- Monroe County Emergency Management is at a level 3: heightened monitoring.
- City of Key West: No changes at this time
- City of Layton: No changes at this time
- Village of Islamorada: No changes at this time
- Florida Dept. of Health in Monroe County: No changes at this time
- 16th Judicial Circuit: No changes at this time (www.keyscourts.net)
Bus Services
Key West Transit/Lower Key Shuttle/Conch Connect
- The City of Key West’s Lower Keys Shuttle: No changes at this time
- Key West Transit: No changes at this time
- Monroe County’s Conch Connect: No changes at this time
JGT Route 301/302 Upper Keys
- Normal operations at this time,
Monroe County Social Services Special Transportation Service (STS)
- No changes at this time
Evacuation Order
- There are no evacuation orders in place for residents or visitors.
- Those who live on boats, RVs, campers, or in mobile homes: No formal recommendation at this time
Garbage Service
- Waste Management in Key West and the Lower Keys: No changes at this time
- Marathon Garbage Service (Middle Keys) and Key Sanitary Service (Upper Keys): No changes at this time
- Village of Islamorada: No changes at this time
Garbage Service Providers
- Lower Keys & Key West – Waste Management of Florida (Key West to 7-Mile Bridge) 305-296-8297 (www.wmfloridastorm.com)
- Middle Keys – Marathon Garbage Service (7-Mile Bridge to MM 72.5) 305-743-5165 (marathongarbageservice.com)
- Islamorada – Island Disposal (MM 72.5-91)305-393-3300
- Upper Keys – Keys Sanitary Service (MM 91-102) 305-451-2025 (keyssanitaryservice.com)
Hospitals and Trauma Star
- Lower Keys Medical Center: normal operations.
- Baptist Health (Fishermen’s Community Hospital and Mariner’s Hospital): normal operations.
- Trauma Star – normal operations
- Emergency services (police and fire) are fully operational.
Sand Bags
- The County does not supply residents with sandbags. With our type of flooding issues, sandbags have proven insufficient in the past.
- The City of Key West is providing sand at Boog Powell Court, the ballfields off 14th Street. Members of the community concerned about possible flooding are urged to help themselves, but they must provide their own bags. Shovels are at the site, but you must fill your own bags.
Schools
Monroe County School District: No changes at this time
Monroe County School District
Any changes can be found on the school board’s website and social media.