Key West is about to face some serious storm surge

[malaise]

and destructive winds and rain. Here comes Irma's full force. Good luck folks who decided to ride it out.

[FLPanhandle]

1. Hope the old city holds together

It's one of my favorite places in the U.S.A.

Funky, fun, full of locals that don't really fit anywhere else in this country.

I can imagine the ghost of Hemingway sitting in a bar waiting for the storm to arrive just like he did back in the 20's/30's.

[malaise]

2. Same here

One of my favorite places in Florida is Anna Maria island. Hope that lovely spot is OK when this is all over.

I worry about the bridges to and from these places

[ananda]

7. Will that Hemingway house survive this storm?

I understand the curator is sticking it out.

[cwydro]

8. I think it will.

It was built in the 1800s of huge chunks of limestone. The museum manager and 9 people are there to take care of the more than 50 cats. They've got three generators, plenty of food for cats and themselves, lots of water, and the vet stocked them up on meds for the kitties before the storm.

It's been through a lot of storms. I lived a block away back in the 90s, never saw any surge reach that house.

[Not Ruth]

9. 54 cats evacuated

[cwydro]

13. I haven't heard that.

I know the staff is there with cats.

[Not Ruth]

16. Sheltered means evacuated to me

Link to tweet

[Lucinda]

19. I think it means that the cats have come in and aren't roaming. n/t

[cwydro]

36. Yes, they are sheltered in their house. In Key West.

I think they'll be fine.

[Autumn]

37. I believe they are sheltered on the property. I don't imagine they would move those cats elsewhere.

[PearliePoo2]

3. They are going to be right in the eye! nt.

[PearliePoo2]

4. NWS Key West Twitter

https://twitter.com/NWSKeyWest

[malaise]

21. Thanks

[raven mad]

5. I can't imagine not having Key West.

Even if I haven't been there in 30 years. Hoping.

[CurtEastPoint]

6. I hope everyone will be OK and I hope the Hemingway cats are going to be safe.

[cwydro]

10. NWS KW says the eye wall will hit between Big Coppitt Key and BIg Pine Key.

Big Coppitt is extremely low lying. I went through Wilma's surge there, five feet of water were in my house before it subsided. A lot of very low-lying Keys in that area...Bay Point, Tamarac, Sugarloaf, Little Torch and Big Torch Keys... I really worry about them. Lots of trailer homes on Big Coppitt.

Since I'm only 5'3", it was quite an experience. Had the cats and dogs in a boat.

Fingers crossed for everyone in the Keys.

[FLPanhandle]

11. That has to be a great story.

The bridges are low there too. It may be awhile before those that evacuated can get home (to whatever is left).

[cwydro]

14. That's why so many never leave.

Many did evacuate for Georges. Then afterwards, the authorities made a checkpoint on US1 and refused to allow people to return. There was a huge backlash from that.

Many vowed never to leave again.

Frightening as that storm was, I was glad I didn't leave.

And if, god forbid, a bridge DID go out...no one could get back.

[FLPanhandle]

15. I evacuated for Hurricane Opal and vowed not to do it again

Same reason. Checkpoints, no one allowed to return. That was more frustrating and emotional than sitting through the storm would have been (even though we got 3 ft of water in the house).

[Quixote1818]

12. Looking at this, it looks like the eye wall is hitting Key West directly & as far east as

Saddlebunch Keys: https://www.windy.com/?24.422,-81.484,10

[malaise]

22. Wow

and Ditto for fingers crossed

[madokie]

17. Wunderground loop

https://www.wunderground.com/weather-radar/united-states-regional/fl/key-west/animated?MR=1

Northeast Oklahoma is looking better all the time

[JimGinPA]

18. I Feel Bad For The People That Had No Choice To Leave nt

[cwydro]

26. Most of those who are there, chose to stay.

Including the nuns at St. Mary Star of the Sea.

Many, many chose to stay. The Keys did open "Refuges of Last Resort" throughout the Keys at various schools.

[AllyCat]

20. "Good luck"?

Isn't that what we pilloried 45 for saying as Harvey approached? Not everyone had a choice and leaving KW is not logistically easy even if one does have the means.

[Sugar Smack]

23. The "Good luck" was posted from someone in the Caribbean.

And I'd say kind, from the viewpoint of malaise, who's also in some danger.

Hope you're safe, wherever you are!

[cwydro]

24. This is from a friend on FB, hope it posts.

Footage from Big Coppitt Key this morning.

https://www.facebook.com/chris.reynolds.77128/videos/10213923043700260/

[malaise]

25. Wow

What a mess

[CentralMass]

27. I pretty sure that i heard all of Key West is underr water.

[cwydro]

28. Heard where? From whom?

I've heard nothing. Just that one post on FB from a friend.

All the Keys are without electricity.

[CentralMass]

29. I've been watching CNN and CBS news .

Here is the first link i found when i googled.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/09/10/hurricane-irma-batters-key-west-florida-keys/651064001/

Is it hyperbole from the person thst they quoted ? I read that the highest point on Key West is only18' above sea level. So it kind of makes sense that with the eye going right over the keys that there would be a surge both as it approached and then when it passed over the keys.

Perhaps your friend has better news.

[cwydro]

30. Oh I'm sure they're getting a surge; just hadn't heard it. Watching CNN too.

I did see another FB post, which shows the roof ripped off some apartments in KW; they're called West Isle.

I lived in those apartments years ago, and they're not real close to the water. But the roof is gone.

I do wish CNN would give more info on KW. They seem to be concentrating on Key Largo.

[CentralMass]

33. Yes. I watchinh news feeds online overnight. On one

of them they had a brief mention about Key West being under water. It sounds like it was the same quote that was in that article..

They were also concerned thst the surge would damage the footings of the bridge in Key Largo and cut off access to the keys.

I havn't been to the keys in many years but is a beautiful place. I stayed on Islamorada for a few nights and spent a little time in Key West.

[cwydro]

34. I heard from another friend that the Snake Creek bridge is out.

The Keys will be cut off if so.

[CentralMass]

35. Thats not good.

[cwydro]

38. Update, that the bridge is "driveable".

keysweekly.com

[cwydro]

32. Just heard from a friend in New Town, KW, that there's no sign of a surge yet.

Haven't heard from anyone in Old Town yet.

The surge we went through in Wilma came long after the winds stopped, so it's early days yet.

There will be a surge, I'm sure of it.

[cwydro]

31. Pic from apartments in KW where I once lived.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10107157239232052&set=a.10100943686611312.2875276.5126090&type=3

If that place is ripped up, I truly fear for Big Coppitt Key, so many trailers there.