IN PICTURES: KEY WEST GETS TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS AS HURRICANE IAN BLOWS TO THE WEST

Waves crash over the seawall at Key West’s Southernmost Point buoy Tuesday afternoon. The heavy seas are expected as tropical storm conditions resulting from Hurricane Ian to the west approach Key West. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

Hurricane Ian is sending tropical storm conditions to Key West and the Lower Keys, with winds of 40 to 45 mph expected through Tuesday night, and storm surge 1 to 3 feet above normal high tides on Wednesday. 

Unusually high tides and heavy rains exacerbated street flooding in several parts of Key West and Stock Island. Officials were receiving sporadic reports of downed trees and were still able to send trucks and crews to clear them from road as of 3 p.m Tuesday. 

Key Westers on Tuesday were taking the high water and heavy winds in stride, grateful that Hurricane Ian remains far enough west and mindful of those in the hurricane’s direct path.

Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.