Aug 18, 2008 6:27 am US/Eastern
A Quiet Monday On Key West On T.S. Fay's Eve
Key West's airport is expected to shut down at about 10 a.m. Monday.
KEY WEST (CBS4) ―
-
-
Tropical Storm Fay track as of Sunday, August 17th, 5 pm
CBS
It was a quieter than usual Monday morning at Key West's Duval Street, the heart and soul of Key West's tourist district, as islanders and tourists prepared for Tropical Storm Fay's arrival.
Most businesses were shuttered as the people who live in Monroe County got ready to face the storm.
Some say memories of Hurricane Wilma and its destruction were enough to motivate them to prepare accordingly.
"It was a good reminder, to just keep, get prepared as you can get," said resident Marc Anderson.
Already early Monday morning intermittent rain storms had been hitting Key West.For those who don't live there, the welcome mat has been pulled in, at least for the next few days.
"I really wish we could stay. We were going to stay until Tuesday," said Cathy Larnerd who came to Key West on vacation.
After the mandatory evacuation order for all tourists to leave the Keys was given Sunday morning, Larnerd said she found all the flights full, so the family had no choice but to rent a car and try their luck in Miami. Key West's airport is expected to shut down at about 10 a.m. Monday.
In fact, lots of people ended up driving, but with only one road in and out, that three-hour drive to Miami ended up being a lot longer thanks to mid-day gridlock.
The lines were just as long at some gas stations in Florida City where evacuating tourists lined up for fuel.
"I just spent 13 months overseas and my wife and I were taking a vacation… we're here to enjoy it and they're making us leave," describes Kevin Kennedy. The family is waiting on a rental car to get out.
Meggie Ferguson is from Virginia. Her picture-perfect moment at the Southernmost Point was not so perfect after all. It's hard to see the marker when it's wrapped in plastic. Workers are trying to protect the landmark from the heavy rain and wind that Fay's threatening to dump.
For those who live in the Keys, it's time to protect what they own. Residents with homes along the water are leaving nothing to chance.
"We're hoping for nothing," says Tim Olszweski, preparing his home, "But you got to prepare for the worst!"
Wayne Dapster, with Monroe County Emergency services, said only about 12 individuals took advantage of the 4 shelters opened up in the city.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hurricane Ike Hits Texas Coast
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
