Shannon Weiner, director of Monroe County Emergency Management, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about Tropical Storm Helene.
It looks like our area has seen the peak of the storm.
Weiner said, “The worst weather did come across the Keys after midnight and through this morning. I think we still had some pretty nasty storms around five o’clock this morning. The Keys, while conditions are going to improve as you go throughout the day, we still are under a tropical storm warning for now for all of the Florida Keys, from Ocean Reef to Key West and out to the Tortugas. And of course, there is a coastal flood warning that remains in effect. But what we have seen so far are, like we said, levels that are definitely lower than Ian, and nothing that is too big of a problem yet, and we’re going to continue to see those occasional strong rain bands with those gusty winds come through today, but like we said, improve as the day goes on and into tomorrow. We are still going to see the 30 to 40 mile per hour staying for a while, and with the squalls, with the gusts of 55 to 65 and into the early afternoon, but definitely, definitely looking better.”
It’s a huge storm, so don’t put the patio furniture out just yet.
Weiner said, “We’ll want to look again for that saltwater flooding, possibly Gulf side later today, but that first round that came around this morning wasn’t too bad. We were able here in the EOC to check in this morning with all of our partners from Key West to Marathon to Key Colony Beach up into Islamorada and Key Largo and Ocean Reef. Everyone is reporting that so far, no one’s seeing any significant damage, just some downed trees, and we did have a few power outages in the Lower Keys through the night, but things came back up quickly. So everyone seems to be to be doing okay so far.”
Monroe County government offices are closed today. Monroe County schools are also closed today. Airports are open.
Our friends to the north could be looking at a real mess with Helene.
Weiner said, “We were very fortunate here in the Keys to just have those low end tropical storm conditions. But the rain bands, the center of that storm has been, at times, 400 miles to our west, plus. If we were having that type of severe weather, and we are that far away, yes that Big Bend area, Wakulla County, specifically, it’s going to be very rough for that area in the coming days and weeks. So our hearts and prayers are with them, and if they need support, the field of emergency management is very is very unique. We’re a small community. You have 67 county EM directors. We pretty much know everyone, and we all know each other, and we’re here to help each other out and if they need people to come from Southeast Florida, we’ve already had regional meetings and meetings with the state. We’ve already pre deployed some people from Southeast Florida into that Big Bend area. We were able to do some of that pre storm. But you’ve got to keep some people behind to work on home. But I’m sure that that South Florida will be sending more assistance up north in the coming days.”
Michael Stapleford of KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM added, “We would like to second that our hearts and prayers go to those who will be affected directly.”
While we were lucky, the weather will still be tricky today.
Weiner said, “The weather through today is still going to be nasty, so stay off the roads, and, of course, the seas today. Stay inside as much as you can. Only go out there if it’s absolutely necessary. Don’t be putting out your patio furniture yet, the roads are looking good.”
Stapleford said, “I can’t emphasize how much we respect and admire your leadership there in Emergency Management.”
Weiner said, “I appreciate your partnership and I appreciate your listeners tuning in and paying attention.”
For more information, click here: https://monroecountyem.com/1324/Emergency-Management