Here's the latest Hurricane Irma recovery update.
PORT OF KEY WEST
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the Port of Key West remains closed due to sunken sailing vessels and other navigational hazards in the federal channel.
Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission boats are the only ones allowed in the port at this time. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will come in with salvage equipment to remove the sunken vessels.
“It’s very unsafe for anyone to board or go into these vessels,” U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jeffrey Janszen said.
POWER
Florida Keys Electric Coop continues to make progress bringing power back to its customers. Some homes have experienced salt water intrusion and won’t be able to accept power until repairs are made.
Florida Keys Electric Coop continues to make progress bringing power back to its customers. Some homes have experienced salt water intrusion and won’t be able to accept power until repairs are made.
Keys Energy Services also continues to make progress bringing customers back on line. But progress will be slower in the hardest hit areas of the Keys around the Big Pine and Cudjoe Key areas where 8 transmission poles were lost.
WATER
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority reports pressure is increasing down its main transmission line as crews continue to shut off leaks. Anyone who sees water coming out of broken lines should contact the FKAA.
GROCERY STORES
The first grocery stores are beginning to reopen in the Lower Keys. Publix at Sears Town Plaza is now open from 10 am to 4 pm. The Winn-Dixie on Big Pine Key also is now open during the day. And it has WiFi.
GARBAGE COLLECTION
Waste Management started collecing trash in Key West on Thursday. Be sure to remove your trash cans promptly after they are collected so they don’t hinder the debris collection.
In unincorporated Monroe County, garbage service in the Upper Keys begins Friday. In the Lower and Middle Keys it will begin Saturday.
In unincorporated Monroe County, garbage service in the Upper Keys begins Friday. In the Lower and Middle Keys it will begin Saturday.
Monroe County’s transfer station in the Upper Keys opens Friday. The transfer stations in the Lower and Middle Keys open Saturday.
BRIDGES
FDOT’s 5 bridge inspection teams inspected 39 County and municipal bridges in the Keys and declared them all safe for travel.
FDOT’s 5 bridge inspection teams inspected 39 County and municipal bridges in the Keys and declared them all safe for travel.
CURFEW
Monroe County’s curfew for the Upper Keys, to MM 73, has changed to 10 p.m. to sunrise. The curfew remains dusk to dawn for the rest of the Keys.
Monroe County’s curfew for the Upper Keys, to MM 73, has changed to 10 p.m. to sunrise. The curfew remains dusk to dawn for the rest of the Keys.
SCHOOLS
Monroe County Schools Superintendent Mark Porter has committed to opening Keys Schools as soon as possible.
Tens of thousands of residents remain evacuated from the island chain, and resources are scarce, but Mr. Porter, like many Monroe County officials are confident in the full restoration of resources for the county, its schools and services for residents.
Superintendent Porter spoke with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho about the possibilities for students in MCSD moving forward. "I acknowledge and thank Superintendent Carvalho for his generous offer of accommodating our students, but at this time I am fully committed to reopening all of the Monroe County Schools as soon as possible. We will have our students back in school in the very near future.”
With regard to the generous support of the Miami-Dade Public Schools, Superintendent Porter added, “I want to personally express my appreciation to Superintendent Carvalho and his Miami-Dade Public Schools team for their generosity and
support.
support.
They are providing resources that will be tremendously valuable in the recovery effort of the Monroe County Schools.”
Monroe County Emergency Operations Officials continue to work diligently to ensure basic resources like water, electricity, and access to food and fuel are readily available to Keys residents after Hurricane Irma.
Monroe County Emergency Operations Officials continue to work diligently to ensure basic resources like water, electricity, and access to food and fuel are readily available to Keys residents after Hurricane Irma.
“We have a growing number of “boots on the ground” in the Keys as Len Rhodus, Jeff Barrow, Mike Skrodinsky and several other leadership team members have returned and have initiated a first round inspection or our schools. Their initial inspection has revealed only minor damage and minimal flooding, even at some of the hardest hit schools.
The Monroe County School District serves approximately 8,600 students throughout the upper, middle, lower keys, and Key West. The accredited school district consists of 10 public schools, six charter schools, as well as alternative and virtual programs.
For more information about the district’s vision and mission, visit www.keysschools.com. Follow us on Facebook @MYMCSD, on Twitter @keysschools, and on Instagram @MYMCSD. Follow the Superintendent on Twitter @supt_porter.