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Monroe County | monroecounty-fl.gov
Monroe County – and all its citizens – have been through a lot these past few months. Our island paradise was hit by the strongest and largest storm to make landfall in the Keys in more than half a century. Hurricane Irma and her Category 4 winds and storm surge struck with fury. From Ocean Reef to Key West, no part of the Keys was spared her wrath. Some of our citizens lost their homes. Some of our citizens lost their businesses. Some areas were hit much worse than others. All of us saw our tropical island chain and blue waters transformed into a mess of barren trees, sunken boats and scattered debris. Nearly a week before the storm struck on Sept. 10, 2017, Monroe County and its Emergency Management Team began preparing specifically for Irma. We worked simultaneously to help our visitors and citizens evacuate to safe locations and shelters for Hurricane Irma, while also preparing to respond to whatever the storm left in her wake.
MESSAGE FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ROMAN GASTESI Anchor compass points bridge palm tree conch water date
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As soon as the hurricane passed, Monroe County’s Emergency Response was in high gear with help staged and ready to mobilize. It was a coordinated effort with our five municipalities and many other responding federal, state and local entities – as well as a small army of volunteers who came from around the country to lend support. And, of course in the Keys, neighbors helped neighbors. Monroe County employees from all departments worked tirelessly to restore government services to its people. Thanks to everyone’s combined efforts, the County was ready within two days to begin a phased re-entry that occurred as quickly as utilities were restored, food and water resources were in place, and roads and bridges were made safe for travel. The Keys officially reopened to visitors on Oct. 1, less than three weeks after the storm battered the island chain. Tourism is our number one economic engine and it was an important milestone for our businesses that needed the customers and our service workforce who needed to work.