zkzz pound for pound

VACATIONERS
TO THE KEYS SHOULD POSTPONE

TRAVEL
PLANS

18-MILE
STRETCH RE-OPENS FOLLOWING

TANKER
ACCIDENT

"A mandatory
evacuation order for all visitors and non-residents to
the Florida Keys has been ordered by Monroe County
Emergency Management, effective noon today (Wednesday
Aug. 23), due to the threat of Tropical Storm Debby, A
state of emergency is now in effect for Monroe County.

"Previously a
hurricane, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Debby had been
downgraded to a tropical storm by the National
Hurricane Center, but is expected to re-intensify and
regain hurricane status once it moves over open water.
The 11 a.m. position had the center of the storm
situated 19.8 N, 69.7 W or just off the northern coast
of the Dominican Republic and about 720 miles
southeast of the Upper Keys. Sustained winds are at 70
mph and the storm was moving just north of west, at
about 17 mph.

"Although the
projected United States landfall position of the storm
is uncertain, the egress order for visitors is being
issued as a precautionary measure according to Billy
Wagner, Monroe County Emergency Management Director.

"Vacationers
with immediate plans to travel to the Keys should
postpone their trips until the storm is well clear of
the area and the tourism infrastructure has
normalized.

"All state and county
parks and private campground are ordered to close at
noon today. All high-profile recreational vehicles,
travel trailers and tent campers are ordered to leave
the Keys. Marine interests should begin preparations
to secure their vessels and anyone wishing to trailer
their boats out of the Keys should do so at this time.
Jewfish Creek and Snake Creek bridges will be ordered
locked down if a resident evacuation is needed.

"All residents need to
pay close attention to the progress of Debby, begin to
initiate hurricane preparation plans and be ready to
respond to an evacuation order.

"No resident
evacuations have been ordered at this time. Schools
are to close in Monroe County Thursday and Friday.