Tropical Weather Resources
Sep 6, 2008 8:36 pm US/Eastern
"Wait And See" Approach Taken In Marathon
MARATHON (CBS4) ―
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Residents and vacationers relax in Marathon, although a mandatory evacuation order is underway.
Hurricane Ike's latest forecast suggests the storm could head south, but that's not stopping business owners in the Middle Keys from preparing for the worst.
CBS4's Sharrie Williams is in Marathon where while some are getting in gear for the storm, others are taking a "wait and see" approach.
"I have to board up. I have kids. This is happening at a bad time. It's rent time. I have to protect myself," explained Notorious Jackson, who owns a business in Marathon.
Boarding up is routine for business owner Michael Ballato. He's lived in the Keys for a while now. "Better to be safe than sorry. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best," is his motto.
Also part of the routine: mandatory evacuations. Tourists have been told to leave and a partial evacuation for residents is scheduled for Sunday. Stewart Lyson was about to haul his boat away when he stopped to chat with Williams. He told her Ike isn't worth the risk.
But elsewhere in Marathon, you wouldn't know an evacuation order is underway. There's very little traffic, and gas stations aren't as busy as they usually would be.
Rita Bowden says Marathon is her home. Ike will have to pack a heavy punch for her to be forced out. "It's a wait and see kind of thing," she explained. "Come Sunday, Monday, we'll see what to do. If it's a Category Four, we're out of here!"
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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