Hurricane Irma Update: What We Do & Don't Know
Duck Key has No Power, No Water, No Sewer, No Cell Service and No Internet. As of yesterday, evening the roads on Duck Key were impassible. Some people have walked in and have checked on their homes. No confirmed definitive number on the level of storm surge. Some say they had several feet of water in their homes, some say their home has no water in them and because of elevation differences on Duck Key we cannot tell you if you have water in your home or damage to your property. At this time, we do not have the ability to have someone to check on your properties.
There is a video on our Facebook Page (DKPOA) that shows a short glimpse of Duck Key from a Helicopter, it shows some damage to roofs at Hawks Cay but no details from our Duck Key Community. The view of Duck Key starts at about the 2:41 second mark of the video.
We will continue to update our Facebook page with only information that we can verify as real. There is a lot of wrong and misleading information on the web that ends up being incorrect. I promise you that we will continue to post everything that we can. If you have confirmed Duck Key information or pictures that we can post please share it on our Facebook page so others may benefit from it. Everyone is on pins and needles about our beloved Duck Key and their properties.
Below are the latest updates from Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and Monroe County Government
Monroe County BOCC
Monroe County will open re-entry into the Keys for residents and business owners in Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Entry requires a yellow re-entry sticker or proof of residency or business ownership in those three cities. A roadblock will be put around Mile Marker 74, just before Sea Oates Beach where part of the road has washed out. An FDOT road crew will repair the road tomorrow.
Returning residents should consider that there are limited services. Most areas are still without power and water. Cell service is spotty. And most gas stations are still closed.
Mariners Hospital in Tavernier will open at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Crews are continuing to work to clear U.S. 1 as quickly as possible. FDOT has inspected all the bridges along U.S. 1.
They cleared all the bridges to Mile Marker 16 as safe. They are waiting for reports on the safety of the remaining bridges. The County will continue to evaluate the situation. The goal is to get all residents back into the Keys as quickly as possible.
Sea Oates Beach MM 75
Monroe County Government
IRMA RECOVERY UPDATE:
An astounding recovery effort is underway in the Florida Keys.
The National Guard has entered the Keys to help with recovery efforts.
The first 6 of 42 bridges (the stretch including Jewfish Creek bridge) have been inspected by FDOT and are safe for travel. As surface roads and local streets are cleared of debris and downed power lines, the road will be opened in sections. THIS HAS NOT YET HAPPENED. Please do not try to drive into the Keys until official word has been given that the road is open. First responders, emergency workers and essential personnel will be the first allowed re-entry.
Fuel remains a critical concern and must be available for emergency crews.
Most roads in Key West are being cleared.
It may be a few days before electricity is returned to the entire Keys. There are 35 trucks and 100 workers en route from Jacksonville to Key West to help restore power to Keys Energy.
NASKW and Boca Chica runways are currently open for recovery rotary wing aircraft and should open for fixed wing this afternoon.
The USS Lincoln aircraft carrier will shortly be anchored off Key West to provide emergency services, and three other Navy vessels are en route to assist.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army will be bringing thousands of MRE's and potable water to the Keys with serving first responders as a priority.
There is no water, power or cell service in the Keys.
Please continue to be patient.