Hurricane Info

Normal Services, No School Closure In Miami-Dade

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Miami-Dade officials have opted to take a "wait and see" attitude with Hurricane Ike, saying the forecast track appears to have spared Miami-Dade from the major effects of the storm. Schools will open as scheduled Monday morning, all county employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, and all county services will operate as normal.

The decision was reached after watching the forecast track for Hurricane Ike, a dangerous Category 4 Hurricane, slide further to the south. With the 11 am Sunday advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Miami-Dade county was no longer in the projected possible path of the storm, although the county is expected to see nasty weather including rain and some high winds.

At a news conference held at the Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center in Doral, Alvarez said it while appeared Miami-Dade would be out of danger, emergency officials would be tracking the progress of the storm closely and adjust the county's plan in the event of any changes.

"We're very lucky here in Miami-Dade county because it seems we will not see the direct impact of this storm," Alvarez said. "A couple of days ago we were very concerned."

Specifically, Alvarez said schools would open as scheduled Monday morning. All county employees have been told to report to work as scheduled, meaning all county services, including transit services, waste pickup, and all government offices would be operating.

Miami-Dade International Airport, the Port of Miami, and Miami-Dade transit will operate normally, as will the Miami-Dade courts.

Alvarez said any residents with questions could contact the county 311 information service, which is staffed to answer questions.

Mayor Alvarez said the county has no plans to open any shelters, but will assist residents of the Keys who are under a mandatory evacuation order.

"We're more than ready to offer any assistance Monroe County might need from us," the Mayor said.

The Emergency Operations Center did not address one question many have asked, about the need to put up hurricane shutters.

CBS4 Meteorologist Craig Setzer said Sunday that residents of Broward county will not need to put shutters up unless Ike's path changes significantly, and in Miami-Dade county, shutters should only be installed if residents wanted extra peace of mind and the task was easy.

County officials will continue to update residents on the path of the storm, and the Emergency Operations Center will remain open to track Ike.

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