Nine Florida Keys State Parks remain closed, due to Hurricane Irma damage, until further notice, Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials said Monday.
Those Monroe County parks are:
• Dagny JohnsonKey Largo Hammock Botanical
• Fort Zachary Taylor Historic
• Long Key
• Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved an emergency ordinance to provide a temporary exemption from paying the 4 cent ($0.04) tourist development tax and the 1 cent ($0.01) tourist impact tax (bed taxes) only for rental residential properties that qualify and rent to residents who have been displaced by Hurricane Irma. This ordinance…
Catastrophic storm surge flooding and wind damage emergencies were only part of the effects left behind from Hurricane Irma. People are starting to return to their homes. The American Red Cross urges safety and encourages people in affected areas to follow the advice of local authorities. If evacuated, return only when authorities indicate it is…
Curfew Update 10/2/17 MCSO – Florida Keys Curfew update: As of Monday, October 2, the curfew for all areas of the Florida Keys has been lifted. The last remaining areas of curfew were from Big Coppitt Key to the Seven Mile Bridge. Sheriff’s deputies will be actively patrolling residential neighborhoods, continuing to keep an eye out…
As the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary strives to assess impacts from Hurricane Irma, the public is asked to help by reporting conditions on and in the water. The observations will assist sanctuary staff in responding to immediate concerns and developing short- and long-term management actions. First and foremost, be careful of on-water and underwater…
Numerous coral heads and segments were dislodged and overturned by Hurricane Irma. Survey teams this week completed an assessment of the condition of the Florida Keys reef tract, from Biscayne Bay to Key West. “It’s very much like what’s observable on land,” said Sarah Fangman, superintendent of the 2,900-square-nautical-mile Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. “In some places,…
Monroe County last week completed a $33,828 project to repair the dock next to the boat ramp at Harry Harris Park. They stripped the dock down to the pylons. Removing and repairing the old decking and the support structure. A new structural plastic decking, which is slip resistant and low maintenance, was installed. More…
