MONROE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES RE-ENTRY PLAN FOR KEYS

Water receding soon, nearshore waters are unsafe - A close up of a map - Hurricane Irma

Monroe County now is open to Marathon at Mile Marker 47, just north of the 7 Mile Bridge, for residents, business owners, disaster workers and supply vehicles.

The Lower Keys and Key West will open Sunday morning at 7:00 am, also to residents, business owners, disaster workers and supply vehicles.

A checkpoint in Florida City will remain in place to ensure only these groups are admitted to the Keys.  An additional checkpoint at Mile Marker 47 will control admittance to the Lower Keys and Key West.

For those re-entering, know that medical services, food, water, and electricity are extremely limited so returning residents. There is no functioning hospital to admit patients in the Middle or Lower Keys. Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon is not open and the Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West only has its Emergency Room open.

Returning residents should bring provisions and any necessary medications to sustain themselves for several days.

Residents returning to the hardest hit areas from MM 40 to MM 10 should know that services are almost non-existent. There is a heavy law enforcement presence in that area to prevent looting and provide security.