Tropical Weather Resources
Sep 8, 2008 11:51 pm US/Eastern
Key West Feels Heavier Wind With Hurricane Ike
KEY WEST (CBS4) ―
-
-
The mandatory evacuation order has many business owners eying dropping profits.
While much of Key West remained boarded up Monday night, wind associated with Hurricane Ike was picking up and was expected to get heavier as the night progressed, but the mayor believes he'll be able to give the all clear soon.
"Hurricane Ike definitely has a mind of his own and is still continuing to beat the expectation,' said Key West Mayor Mario Di Gennaro. "The fat lady hasn't sung, but the chunky mayor is going to tomorrow."
B ecause of the increased winds, county officials say resident evacuations are over– but if you're already gone, don't come home yet.
"We want them back as soon as possible," said Di Genaro. " We're not wasting any time. The first available moment we'll put it out. We want our residents back as soon as possible."
Earlier Monday
CBS4's Ted Scouten talked to business owners who had nothing but time on their hands.
Skip Fleet owns a surf shop. Monday, a few locals were coming in, but that's it. "A little on the quiet side!" laughed Fleet. With Monroe county ordering tourists and locals out, he's pretty much out of business for the next few days.
"I understand their position, but it has a devastating economic impact on the whole keys every time they do this," Fleet said.
The Keys aren't expected to feel the full force of Ike, but county officials are making no apologies for ordering everyone out.
"Remember this. Two days ago, three days ago, we were facing a category 4 over the 7-mile bridge," said Monroe County Mayor Mario DiGennaro, "You realize what that means. So we made the right call at the right time."
Sitting in an empty Mallory Square, locals Shannon and Nick don't blame the county for ordering everybody out. Still, they realize the empty jet ski docks and desolate streets are cutting into their paychecks.
"I think it's good for safety," Shannon asserted, "If they don't tell everyone to leave and someone gets hurt, they're kind of responsible for it."
Now, everybody's bracing and waiting to see just how much of a brush the Keys will have with Ike.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Tracking Ike - 11 AM Advisory
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
