The National Weather Service (NWS) Key West has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Key West on July 4th at 11:10 AM.
On July 3rd, the City of Key West declared a State of Local Emergency due to potential effects of Tropical Storm Elsa. The system may bring rainfall and strong winds to Key West and the Florida Keys late Monday or into Tuesday.
The Fourth of July celebration, including the Rotary’s fireworks display, are expected to go on as planned. Public transit is operating normally. However emergency managers are urging visitors for the long weekend to scrutinize travels plans to lessen potential heavy traffic that could be accompanied by the storm effects, whether that means extending their stay or leaving a few hours early.
Monroe County emergency managers advise they will likely issue a voluntary evacuation of mobile homes and liveaboard vessels to safe structures for Monday and Tuesday, and urge visitors and those in RVs and travel trailers or vehicles towing boats to consider their Monday and Tuesday travel plans.
Mandatory evacuations are not expected for this storm.
The City of Key West has opened an information hotline at 305-809-1101. In addition, Monroe County has up-to-date information at on their emergency management webpage.
