Airport Closed; Hotels Possible Re-Opening Dates
Key West took a big hit from Hurricane Irma as heavy winds and rain pelted the Conch Republic.
The hurricane made landfall at Cudjoe Key, about halfway between Key West and Marathon. It was a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph. Here are the latest updates from Key West regarding its recovery.
Key West & Florida Keys Hurricane Irma Updates
The Florida Keys checkpoint, which permitted only residents and business owners to enter the Keys, ends on Tuesday. Officials are meeting Monday to determine when tourists will be allowed to drive in Key West and all of the Keys.
Cruise ships have been cleared to return to Key West and first arrived on Sunday. “The people need to go back to work, and this is a huge part of our recovery,” Major Craig Cates said.
Dry Tortugas National Park is re-opening on Monday.
Sloppy Joe’s, which received no major damage, is back open. It’s serving drinks but no food.
The Schooner Wharf Bar is also open, plus Tree Bar with Hog’s Breath due to open on Thursday. PubClub.com is proving a rundown of bars, restaurants and other businesses on this link.
Key West International airport is now open to general aviation. American Airlines, Delta and Silver Airways have resumed commercial service.
That being said, officials are still asking people to with immediate plans to visit Key West to cancel those plans. Fantasy Fest and the Meeting of the Minds events scheduled for late October and early November are still on as scheduled, as is the powerboat Poker Run in early November.
A curfew remains in effect in Key West from midnight to sunrise.
Several Key West hotels are now open or will reopen by the first of October.
Jimmy Buffett has announced plans for a benefit concert in Florida for sometime in the future for Hurricane Irma victims.
Monroe County says reports of 10,000 people having being evacuated from the Keys are not true.
All bridges in the Keys have been inspected and have been declared safe for traffic.
This is also from Monroe County:
“The Keys are not open for business. There are many resources staged and ready to move into the Florida Keys to help as soon as possible.
“The wind may have stopped blowing but for most of the Florida Keys there is no fuel, electricity, running water or cell service. For many people, supplies are running low and anxiety is running high.
“HELP IS ON THE WAY.”
FEMA Update (Sunday afternoon)
The Key West airport is reportedly in good shape; however, it still has standing water on the taxi way and apron. Reports indicate the Marathon airport has debris on the runway and a substantial amount of water; efforts to clear it are underway.
• Law enforcement is taking control of the top of the 18-Mile Stretch to restrict entry of non-authorized personnel into the Florida Keys.
• Three points of the Overseas Highway have been identified as “choke points.” Sea Oats Beach at MM 75 has had one lane erode and the other is covered in debris. The southbound lane is reportedly “buckled.” At MM 34 there is reportedly a large metal pole across Overseas Highway. At MM 29 there is a reported partial “wash down” of the road. The state Department of Transportation has said they will engage a rapid response contractor.
Marathon City Councilman Steven Cook reported on social media about progress from the EOC on Ocean Reef south: “We are moving at a snail’s pace. But we are moving toward Marathon … Marathon took a massive blow. Do not attempt to come back … We love you guys. Please be patient.” No other official reports are available at this time.
• Key West City Manager Jim Scholl said current reports indicate Key West fared well. He said debris clean up would be the biggest challenge and that flooding was “less than [Hurricane] Wilma.
• AT&T has reported that it believes its equipment issues are centered at the station at MM20.
All 55 cats at the Hemingway house are reported safe, as are all 10 occupants. The house also escaped any major flooding.
This Twitter post from District 3 Commissioner Heather Carruthers provides a good post-hurricane update:
#keywest Commissioner District 3 pic.twitter.com/CuqcKca9vn
— Candy (@candycane1D) September 10, 2017
This Twitter post shows the situation in the immediate hours after Irma passed through Key West:
Cautiously optimistic 💜🇺🇸#KeyWest thank you for this update pic.twitter.com/PZnGnK694E
— Karen Tennents girl (@karen_flynn) September 10, 2017
The National Hurricane Center issued an advisory at 11 a.m., warning that “live-threatening wind and storm surge from Irma will continue in the Florida Keys and southwestern Florida today and spread into central and northwestern Florida tonite and Monday.
Relief, tho, is coming quickly to the Keys and Key West. By late afternoon, C130 planes were being loaded with relief supplies.
“The help is on its way,”Monroe County Emergency Management Director Martin Senterfitt said during a conference call Sunday afternoon. “We’re going to get more aid than we’ve ever seen in our lives,”
RELATED KEYS IRMA POST:
• Florida Keys Irma Updates: Power Being Restored; Some Residents Return Home
The Banyan is opening on the 20th.. Not on the beach but a mremorable place…
Any update on Hogfish Restaurant? Also The Mermaid and the Alligator Bed & Breakfast. Haven’t heard a thing, and that seems worrisome. Hope they are both ok, and certainly all the people associated with both establishments. How awful to loose your livelihood like this. This is all so sad. Key West is such a unique and special place!
Does anyone know the status of Banyan Tree Resort on Whitehead?
ANY DAMAGE TO DANTES
Good news here, the Tropical Inn received no damage. However, until staff are allowed to return to Key West, it remains closed. It’s projected re-opening date is Friday, Sept. 22. Fantasy Fest should be on as normal this year
No update at this time, but the Keys should be fully “tourist ready” well before November.
Hope all are safe first and foremost! Any word on the Tropical Inn Key West on Duval Street? And over all any word if Fantasy Fest will still take place this year? TY!
We have reservations at Hogfish 27 in Marathon the last week of Nov. Can anyone comment on the possibility of Marathon being “tourist ready” by then??
Thanks, and same here for SURE! PubClub will keep posting updates as I can get information.
Thx Kevin. Hope every one is okay and can get their life back to normal as soon as they can.. Feel bad for them.
Hi George. It’s actually Kevin. Anyway, nothing is posted on the hotel’s website. You should be fine by February. Once they get power back in Key West, the hotels should start to open within a few days, depending of course, on what damage they did (or did not) have and any repairs.
Hey Rick. Any news on damage to the BW Key Ambassador Hotel? I’ll be staying there in Feb/2018. Thx for all your reporting.
Here’s a partial update for you. The Fairfield is closed until further notice. No word on Hogfish or Sebago.
Yes, here is the hotel’s situation and statement; The hotel is currently closed and not accepting reservations until further notice. Hyatt Residence Club Key West, Sunset Harbor will waive all cancellation charges and refund all deposits for stays during this period, and will work with each traveler to make future arrangements. Guests with upcoming reservations should call 1-800-323-7249 as storms have affected hotel communications.
Any update on the Hyatt Sunset Harbor Resort damage.
Any update on the Hogfish Bar & Grill? What about the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites at 2400 Roosevelt? Any update on Sebago Water Sports?
Just wondering about Key Colony and condos in that key. We are suppose to visit in early December.
We are hearing Marathon got hit pretty hard.
Thoughts are with all Floridians.
From St. Charles, MO
Does anyone know about the status of the Banyan Resort on Whitehead st? IT’s on high ground but hoping buildings mostly ok and banyan trees did not blow down.
Anybody know? thanks
Glad to hear that damages, while bad, aren’t as bad as the news made them out to be. The old man’s house and cats are saved and Sloppy Joe’s is still standing as is most of Duval Street. These places are national treasures.
My Father Inlaw lives on Amelia St no to far from Duval St. He came to Iowa to get away from the storm but is having a hard time getting any information on his house and if it is still there. Can anyone give any info on this area?
Working on it! Keep checking this page for updates.
Hello,
Would anyone be able to tell me ANYTHING about the Reach in Key West? How the conditions are? How is the city itself? We are suppose to be going to a wedding on September 29th but will be heading early for the rehearsal dinner. Can anyone tell me about the conditions for Sloppy Joe’s and La Trattoria, which I believe is the one on Duval St.
If anyone, could tell me anything about these places that would be amazing!
Very good question! Most likely. Everything should be fully back to normal for that event the end of Oct.
WILL FANTASY FEST STILL TAKE PLACE
Has anyone seen any image including the 170 year old Key West Lighthouse?
Any info on damage to the Pier House?
Anybody have any updates on the Angelina Guest House and its proprietors? Amazing people – thoughts out to the good people of the Keys!
How is the US Navy Barracks at Truman Annex did the water get up in them
Glad to see the people, animals, and bars of KW survived the storm. We were married in KW and love to visit as often as possible. We will be back.
Rick, this is from the Sheraton after PubClub contacted them on Twitter:
“We will be closed through September 13th. (Date subject to change.)”
How is The Southernmost Beach Resort? We are suppose to be getting married there October 10th. Praying we will still be able to.
Here is a follow-up to Rick’s question. This is from the Sheraton Smather’s Beach as of Monday:
“Due to Hurricane Irma, Sheraton Suites Key West is currently closed. The safety of our guests and associates is always a top priority. We encourage those planning to visit the hotel to check the news for the most current information and amend their travel plans accordingly. We are waiving hotel cancellation and change fees for specific arrival dates and suggest our customers call 888-625-4988 for more information about their reservations. Those in countries outside of the United States seeking information about their reservations should call the SPG toll-free number in their country.”
Nice! Yes it’s still standing. PubClub will post here when it reopens! And when the webcams get back and operating; right now it’s a power issue. There won’t be any tourists until the bridges and roads get inspected.
My wife and I spent our 1 year anniversary in Key West, was worried about Sloppy Joes, looks like it is still standing,
Give them a couple of days and then try to contact them. Good luck and congratulations!
We are planning to get married on September 27 on Smathers Beach , and we are staying at the Sheraton , from the 25 to the 30 , any chance of that happening ?
Please what news of Big Coppitt