Monroe County Emergency Management Director Cory Schwisow joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM yesterday morning to talk about what’s going on in the county.
Schwisow said the current El Niño is expected to be one of the strongest in roughly 70 years, with Pacific Ocean waters continuing to warm significantly above normal.
“We’re looking at one of the strongest El Niños in the past 70 years,” Schwisow said. He said the current trend is expected to continue through approximately February 2027.
For the Florida Keys, El Niño typically means cooler and wetter conditions during the winter months. However, the weather pattern can also increase the potential for severe storms, squall lines, tornadoes and waterspouts.
Schwisow pointed to the winter of 2023 as an example, when the Keys experienced several intense storms, including winds approaching tropical-storm strength, tornadoes and waterspouts. He also recalled a November storm in Summerland Key that produced approximately 16 inches of rain in 24 hours.
Monroe County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will continue monitoring conditions closely. John Rizzo is expected to assemble a team in about a month to regularly discuss potential impacts and make sure residents receive information about threats during the winter.
While El Niño could reduce the typical wildfire threat because of increased rainfall, Schwisow said residents should not let the current lack of tropical activity create a false sense of security.
“It only takes one,” Schwisow said, pointing to Hurricane Andrew, which struck South Florida on Aug. 24, 1992.
Storm debris needs to be considered as well. It should be placed along a county or state road, outside the roadway and away from storm drains. Residents should not place debris on private property or in an empty private lot because emergency crews generally cannot enter private property to collect it.
Schwisow said debris should also be separated into categories, including household trash, construction debris, vegetation, hazardous household materials, appliances and electronics.
He emphasized that electronics containing lithium batteries require particular attention because the batteries can become hazardous when exposed to conditions such as salt water.
Proper debris staging is also important because of the cost of storm cleanup and federal reimbursement requirements. Schwisow said debris removal following Hurricane Irma cost Monroe County more than $20 million, with massive piles of debris along U.S. 1.
He said the county is working with a FEMA review council on possible changes that could make it easier to assist residents who are physically unable to move debris themselves.
Schwisow also provided an update on the Big Pine fire, saying there are no major concerns about the 35-acre blaze spreading. U.S. Wildland Fire Services personnel remain in the area, while Monroe County Fire Rescue and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office continue monitoring the site.
He said some light smoke may still be visible because embers have become embedded in the rocky terrain and root systems.
“We would rather take a look at it, verify that it’s just a hot spot than another pocket opened back up,” Schwisow said, encouraging residents to report concerning smoke by calling 911.
Schwisow said recent rain has helped conditions, but the area remains approximately six to eight inches below normal rainfall levels, and drought remains a concern.
September is also Preparedness Month, and Schwisow encouraged residents to make emergency plans now rather than waiting for a storm to threaten the Keys.
“Stay safe, have a plan,” Schwisow said.