Sep 7, 2008 7:41 am US/Eastern
Middle, Upper Keys Prepare For Ike
KEY LARGO (CBS4) ―
Storm-weary residents of the Middle and Upper Keys are once again preparing to leave their homes, ordered out by county officials who are worried about the damage which could be done by a Category 4 storm like Hurricane Ike.
The phased evacuation plan for the Keys is intended to keep traffic manageable on US1, the only route into or out of the Keys, and early Sunday morning there was little traffic. That is expected to change throughout the day as more people heed the evacuation order.
Monroe County emergency officials say despite Saturday's evacuation of Tourists from the Keys, there should be adequate supplies of gas at Keys service stations to allow people to evacuate.
CBS4's Marybel Rodriguez, in Key Largo, found no lines at gas stations and convenience stores in advance of the mandatory evacuation.
Marinas had already started preparing for the storm, with boats being tied down and charter trips canceled for Sunday.
In Marathon, CBS4's Jorge Rodriguez found people boarding up and installing shutters, unwilling to take a chance Ike will track to the south and skirt the Keys. However, in some neighborhoods it was clear people were not planning to evacuate.
Despite the evacuation order, some frustrated residents are balking because of the cost and disruption brought by following evacuation orders.
No shelters will be operating in the Keys, officials say, for residents who choose to ignore evacuation orders.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The top videos on CBS4.com
