Sep 6, 2008 11:14 pm US/Eastern
Residents May Not Be Evacuated From Keys
KEY WEST (CBS4) ―
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Ike may be a threat to Key West, but residents aren't letting the possibility of wet weather keep them down during a U.M-Florida game.
Looking around Key West, you'd never realize that there is a plan in place to evacuate the locals. Now, that plan could change, all because of a shift in Hurricane Ike's trajectory.
CBS4's Ted Scouten is surrounded by revelers in Key West.
Even the threat of a hurricane can't keep Key West residents from gathering and watching the U.M.-Florida game. Now they're learning there's a chance they may not have to run from Ike at all.
The mandatory evacuation order could be lifted depending on the forecast. Emergency managers will make the call early Sunday after seeing Ike's latest track.
"If it continues on a southerly direction, we should be okay," says resident Donny Elomina. "But if it starts to make a northerly direction, I think we seriously need to evacuate."
"We hope we can lift it, that's our goal, but we'd rather be safe than sorry. Our concern is saving lives," explains Monroe County Mayor Mario DiGennaro.
But that glimmer of hope is not stopping Stan Wellman and other business owners from getting ready. "It's all about preparation. Get the job done so you don't have to have excessive stress at the time you have to make any final decisions," says Wellman.
Tourists should already be gone. Their evacuation order is still in effect. Some of the lucky were able to catch a flight out. "Of course the hurricane's coming in, so we were told to evacuate. So we're getting a flight out, we'd like to stay longer, but we couldn't take a chance," said tourist Jeanette Mormon.
Other vacationers are still hanging around. They're watching, waiting and hoping Ike will take a hike.
The important time to keep in mind is 5 a.m. That's when Emergency Management Officials are going to decide what will happen with the plan to evacuate locals.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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