Hurricane Ian Recovery

Last Update -Monday, November 1, 2022 - 2 PM

Next Update - As changes are made.

City of Key West Updates

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Monroe County has been included in Federal Disaster Declaration Expansion for Debris Funding and Individual Assistance (IA) Funding.

  • On the evening of October 5, 2022, the Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Florida (FEMA-4673-DR-FL) was amended to include Monroe County for Category A (debris) funding.  The President of the United States authorized Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures assistance for roads and bridges, public buildings, parks, and recreational facilities, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 100 percent of the total eligible cost for 30 days.
  • Monroe County was added to the FEMA Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance (IA)
  • Individuals in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties can apply with FEMA the following ways:

    Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. 

Individuals can apply in multiple ways:

  • Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Download the FEMA mobile app.
  • Call the registration phone number at 800-621-3362 from 7 AM to 11 PM Eastern Time (TTY: 800-462-7585). 

City officials actively working with Monroe County, State, and Federal elected officials successfully expanded the declarations to include Key West for Individual Assistance (IA) to help those with disaster-related needs.  The Monroe County Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD) is working to meet the community's unmet needs.  Human needs assessments are ongoing.  Additionally, individual assistance is available for Florida Keys residents through US Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.

  • The City of Key West is collecting Hurricane Ian-related debris now.  Additionally, individual assistance is available for Florida Keys residents through SBA loans (see additional information provided below).
  • The City of Key West is eligible for IA FEMA assistance at this time.
  • SBA Fact Sheet and Contact Information
  • COAD Information:
  • Monroe County is gathering information regarding unmet needs; call 800-955-5504 to discuss.
  • The Truman Waterfront Splash Pad is closed until further notice due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian.  The City crews are working to get this up and running as soon as possible.
  • The MLK, Jr. Community Pool is closed until further notice due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
  • The corner of Atlantic Blvd and Bertha Street is closed due to damage caused by  Hurricane Ian.
  • Monroe County Higgs Beach Memorial Park and Reynolds' Street Pier in Key West (along with the volleyball court and playground) are closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

Derelict Boats

  • If your vessel became displaced due to Hurricane Ian (for example, it became derelict due to the storm), you may contact the FWC for help.  If the vessel was affected to the degree that you cannot recover or bring it into compliance, a waiver may be completed, enabling FWC to remove the vessel from the state waters.  After 45 days, if the owners have not acted to remove or bring the vessel into compliance, they may be subject to criminal charges under F.S. 823.11 for the derelict vessel.
  • To contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) to have a displaced vessel removed by the State:

The City's Hotline - 305-809-1101

The Debris Plan:

  • Vegetative Debris – The City of Key West currently requests residents utilize yard waste cans to collect small limbs and palm fronds for collection by Waste Management (WM) under regular collection when possible.  Larger trees and limbs that cannot be handled through regular pickup should be placed on the City right-of-way in a pile for collection by the City's hauler or City staff.  Vegetative debris should only contain vegetation and no other materials and should only result from the storm; no routine lawn maintenance is allowed.  Take care not to place piles in the roadway, do not block fire hydrants, water meters, or driveways, and do not place them under overhead power lines.
  • City crews began vegetative debris collection this past weekend and worked Saturday and Sunday collecting debris too large to be picked up during regular yard waste/vegetation collection.  The collection will continue through the week until one pass of all city roads stands completed.  
  • Bulky Items - The city's debris hauler will pick up residents with "bulky" items (appliances, couches, dressers, etc.) damaged due to storm flooding.   
  • Please place debris in the City right-of-way, NOT on the sidewalk or blocking the roadway.  Please be sure to keep debris clear of fire hydrants and power poles.
  • Please be sure to separate vegetative debris from appliances and building debris.  Household garbage must be put in trash collection bins for regular pickup.

U.S. Small Business Administration offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Florida

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Florida Affected by Hurricane Ian

Information provided by The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce

 Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to Hurricane Ian beginning September 23. 

 "SBA's mission-driven team stands ready to help Florida small businesses and residents impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden's disaster declaration for certain affected areas, "said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.  "We're committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild."

The disaster declaration covers Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties in Florida, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.   The filing deadline to return physical property damage applications is November 28, 2022.  

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Broward, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pasco, and Polk in Florida.   The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023. 

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered physical property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.

Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters.  As verified by the SBA, applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damages for mitigation purposes.  Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, elevation, retaining walls, and landscaping to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

Applicants that have an existing SBA disaster loan may apply under this declaration.  Businesses and residents with previous SBA disaster loans and current applicants have up to two years from their prior loan approval to request a loan increase for mitigation projects. 

 "The opportunity to include measures to help prevent future damage from occurring is a significant benefit of SBA's disaster loan program," said SBA Associate Administrator Francisco Sanchez, Jr.  "I encourage everyone to consult their contractors and emergency management mitigation specialists for ideas and apply for an SBA disaster loan increase for funding."

Interest rates are as low as 3.04 for businesses, 1.875 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 2.188 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website, Disaster Loan Assistance, and should apply under SBA declaration # 17644.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app.  If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362.  Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. 

Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. 

Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 

The filing deadline to return physical property damage applications is November 28, 2022.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023.

To Report a broken water line, downed power line, or cable line, please call the following numbers:

  • For Cable / Phone - call AT&T at 800-331-0500,
  • For Cable / Phone - call Comcast @ 800-934-6489,
  • For Electric Power - call Keys Energy Services @ 305-295-1010,
  • For Water - call Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority @ 305-296-2454.

Evacuation Orders:

  • There are no evacuation orders for residents or visitors

Key West International Airport:

  • Open and fully operational

Government Offices

  • Key West is open and fully operational
  • Monroe County is open

Shelters

  • A general population shelter was open at the Key West High School cafeteria on Flagler Avenue.  One hundred eighteen (118) sheltered from the storm there.

Hospitals and Trauma Star

  • Lower Keys Medical Center: normal operations
  • Trauma Star - normal operations
  • Emergency services (police and fire) are fully operational.

Monroe County School District

College of the Florida Keys

  • Normal Operations

 EXECUTIVE ORDERS & LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS

National Weather Service Key West Update:

FINAL

There are no evacuation orders to be given by Monroe County at this time. 

  • City Services and City Offices will close at the end of business Monday and are scheduled to reopen on Friday, September 30.  The City regrets any inconveniences experienced as a result of the closures. 

Emergency Management coordinates with Monroe County and the National Weather Service – Key West to advise residents on specific details. 

Re-entry Stickers

Key West residents should obtain re-entry stickers before a storm to enable a smoother return to Key West after an evacuation.  Re-entry stickers are available at Fire Station No. 1 and the Police Department, located at 1600 North Roosevelt Boulevard, or City Hall Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, located at 1300 White Street in Key West, Florida.  Residents must provide proof of residency when obtaining a re-entry sticker.

Key West Airport was reopened on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 7 AM.

  • Please contact your airline for any changes regarding flights.  

Government Office Closures

  • City Offices and services will closed at the end of business Monday, September 26, 2022, and reopen on Friday, September 30, 2022.
  • Keys Energy will reopen on Friday, September 30, 2022.  Keys Energy will be closed on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.  
  • County Offices and services will will close at the end of business on Monday, September 26, 2022, and reopen on Friday, September 30, 2022.
  • Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority closed on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.  
  • Housing Authority of Key West closed on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, and Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
  • 16th Judicial Circuit/Monroe County will be closed on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.  Judges are on-call for warrant and domestic violence injunction review.

Bus Services

  • Key West Transit has suspended resume all bus service until further notice beginning at 5 AM on Tuesday, September 30 27, 2022.  Bus Services suspended will be are the Duval Loop, Lower Keys Shuttle, and City Routes 
  • According to the National Weather Service Key West, high winds and potential flooding may impact the Keys within the bus service areas.  Unless there are unforeseen changes in the weather, the City intends to resume full bus service on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 5 AM.

Parking Lots

  • The Grinnell Street Park n Ride, Old Town Garage, is closed has reopened to the Public until further notice.
  • Simonton Street Fire Station No. 2 is closed open to the public until further notice. 

Evacuation Order

  • There are no evacuation orders in place at this time.

Key West Ports

  • The port of Key West is closed open to maritime traffic
  • As of Monday, September 26, 2022, at 10 PM, Key West Port Readiness Condition (PORTCON) is set at ZULU.

Garbage Service

Waste Management update on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 4 PM 

The winds are expected to ramp up on Tuesday.  Please be responsible for your items that may litter neighborhoods and the environment.

  • Monday – Running Services as normal
  • Tuesday – No service.
  • Wednesday – No service.
  • Thursday - service resumes starting with Tuesday, and Wednesday routes picked up first, followed by regularly scheduled days.
  • Debris from the storm should be put to the curb, and separate yard waste, white goods (appliances), recyclables, and storm debris.  Do not put any debris for pickup on the road.
  • Please secure all trashcans that are not already secured.  Please also secure all yard debris and décor, including toys, sports equipment, and lawn furniture, by this evening.

Hospitals and Trauma Star

  • Lower Keys Medical Center: Elective procedures are being rescheduled.
  • Trauma Star is in normal operationsuntil weather conditions dictate differently.  Trauma Star is not operational.

Schools

  • Monroe County Schools are closed from Tuesday, September 27, 2022, will reopen on Friday, September 30, 2022

State Parks

11 AM NHC Advisory

  • Official National Hurricane Center three-day tracking map graphic, issued at 11 AM.  (ET) Wednesday, September 28, shows Hurricane Ian's forecast error track cone.
  • FINAL UPDATE: Wednesday, September 28 at 10 PM

Key Messages for the Florida Keys...

This is the final storm briefing for the Florida Keys of Monroe County concerning Hurricane Ian.

The Tropical Storm Warning for the Florida Keys has been canceled.

The Storm Surge Warning for the Lower Keys and the Storm Surge Watch for the Middle and Upper Keys has been canceled and replaced with a Coastal Flood Warning.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the Lower Florida Keys, including Key West through Big Pine Key - Act now over the next several hours near and after the low tide to protect property.

  • Widespread Storm Surge Flooding originating from the Gulfside up to 4 feet above normal high tide levels is expected from Key West through Big Pine Key.  For several islands, the storm surge will pass over from Gulfside to Oceanside.  The peak storm surge levels will likely occur from noon on September 28, 2022, through Midnight on September 29, 2022.
  • Some streets will become impassable with water into ground floor homes and businesses, especially those in lower elevation areas.

A Storm Surge Watch remains in effect for the Middle and Upper Keys, from Marathon through Ocean Reef.

  • Storm surge flooding 1-3 ft above normal high tides is possible.
  • The highest storm surge for the Gulfside/ Bayside of the Middle Keys is expected later today during the afternoon hours, with the storm surge in the Bayside of the Upper Keys gradually peaking Thursday through Friday.

Sustained Tropical Storm force Winds continue over the Lower and Middle Keys, with gusts to tropical storm force mainly in squalls over the Upper Keys.

  • Winds are expected to decrease gradually later this morning, with winds slowly dropping below tropical storm force through the mid to late morning hours.
  • Scattered squalls may briefly produce wind gusts near 60 mph today.