Tropical Storm Fay Begins Northward Turn
Meteorologists: Expect Fay’s Sustained Tropical Storm-Force Winds to Begin in Keys at 2 p.m.
According to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center and Key West National Weather Service, Tropical Storm Fay has turned toward the north-northwest and is now moving at 12 mph. Fay has not strengthened and remains a moderate tropical storm with about 50 mph sustained winds. Fay should move into the Florida Straits later this morning, and after it does so, it will have the potential to strengthen slowly.
The storm’s projected future track has shifted to the right and now the center of Fay is expected to pass near or over the Lower Keys late Monday evening. Most of the heavy weather associated with Fay is located east of the storm center, thus numerous squalls with tropical storm force winds can be expected throughout all of the Keys and mainland south Florida.
Sustained tropical storm force winds (at least 39 mph) are expected to begin in the Lower and Mid Keys around 2 p.m. Monday afternoon and reaching the Upper Keys around 4 p.m. Monday, forecasters said.
Storm surge is not expected to be significant…likely around two to three feet above sea level after sunset Monday night… and continuing through the early morning hours Tuesday.
Rainfall of four to six inches is expected. Some areas may receive up to eight inches.
Weather conditions should begin to improve sometime Tuesday morning.
Key West International Airport is to suspend operations at 10 a.m. Monday. Greyhound Keys Shuttle manager Rick Warwick reports there is one scheduled bus set to leave Key West Monday morning at 8:55 a.m. with available seats. The bus stops in other Keys locations on its way to Miami International Airport. Call Greyhound at 1-800-410-KEYS for more information.
County and state parks are closed.
Four Keys shelters opened Sunday night to accommodate residents living in mobile homes, low-lying areas and boats.
Shelter locations are:
Key West High School on Flagler Avenue in Key West
Sugarloaf School on Crane Boulevard, bayside mile marker 19, Highway U.S. One
Stanley Switlik Elementary School at 3400 Overseas Highway in Marathon
Coral Shores High School, mile marker 90 on Highway U.S. One in Islamorada.
All protective actions should be rushed to completion.
Traffic is flowing smoothly this morning, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement officials strongly urge motorists to stay off roads during tropical storm-force conditions and add that the Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) is expected to remain open throughout the storm.
Monroe County’s Emergency Operations Center is fully activated. For Keys emergency-related questions call 1-800-955-5504.
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Additional Resources:
Monroe County Emergency Information: (800) 955-5504
Keys Tourism Help Line: (800) 771-KEYS
Contact: Becky Herrin, (305) 517-2481
Andy Newman, (305) 542-6014
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