So, it looks like Key West are dodging a potential bullet with Rina, making everyone happy since she would have put a damper on our Fantasy Fest Celebrations. Only once in the past 20+ years has Fantasy Fest been cancelled and rescheduled, and that was in fact due to a hurricane. You can read more about this and Fantasy Fest in general by reading my article on the history of the celebration.
Currently the storm is still about 500 miles south of Key West, and is moving at about 6 mph. It is also breaking up, expected to be at worst a tropical storm for the Florida Keys and at best have no impact at all.
According to Jon Rizzo, warning coordinator for the Key West National Weather Service Office, there is a reasonable chance that the storm could dissipate, leaving no impact at all on the Keys, but “worst case scenario we are looking at is wind gusts up to tropical storm-force in association with short-duration squalls moving through the area on Saturday. Given the current track, we may be looking at rainfall of 1 to 2 inches on Saturday.”
Irene Toner, the director of emergency management for Monroe County, and her team will continue monitoring the storm, but at this time they do not foresee issuing resident or visitor evacuations.
So, with updates daily, we will keep an eye on the storm and let you know what’s going on – the real deal!
For more information about things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site. You can also visit our Key West Events Calendar to see upcoming special events.
And for more restaurant reviews check out our restaurant review section of this blog as well as our restaurant reviews at www.gotothekeys.com.
Island Genn – Your Key West Concierge
