Florida Keys To Be Evacuated Ahead of Hurricane Ike

After considering options, Florida Keys officials decided early Sunday to continue with a phased resident evacuation plan beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday preparing for Hurricane Ike.
Times and regions are as follows: Lower Keys and Key West: 8 a.m.; Middle Keys including Marathon: Noon; Upper Keys including Key Largo, Islamorada and mainland Monroe County: 4 p.m.

“While we realize the National Hurricane Center’s forecast track has shifted considerably to the south, we also know that most of the Keys are still in the forecast error cone,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “Given this is currently a Category 4 hurricane and a slight shift in the track to the north could bring very dangerous conditions to the Keys, we believe it’s prudent to continue the resident evacuation as planned.

“We do understand the inconvenience of evacuations for Keys residents and visitors, but their safety is our top priority,” he said. “It’s just too close to not react to it.”

Beginning at 8 a.m., the two drawbridges in Monroe County including Snake Creek and Jewfish Creek will not open for marine traffic (boats) to avoid any vehicular traffic (cars, etc.) delays.

Source: Monroe County Website (Home of the Florida Keys)

These people are clearly taking no chances.