FLORIDA KEYS/MARCO ISLAND/JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott surveyed the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Irma on Monday, which included the Florida Keys, Marco Island and Jacksonville. Irma’s eyewall passed directly over the Florida Keys and Marco Island (located just south of Naples). Meanwhile Jacksonville struggled with historic flooding.
On Monday (Sept. 11), CBS Miami reporter David Sutta described the Florida Keys as a “war zone.” And another emergency responder referred to the scene in the Florida Keys as a possible “humanitarian crisis.” The Florida Keys is temporarily closed to visitors following Hurricane Irma while the region starts to rebuild.
The Florida Keys & Key West CVB issued an update on Sept. 12 that said residents were still being asked to exercise caution when heading outdoors, but that key infrastructure repairs were underway. The City of Naples Florida website listed a boil water notice for Naples and also added some post Irma safety info.
Visit Jacksonville did not have any updates posted on its website, but it shared the following on Twitter:
#Jacksonville is a city of strong, warm-hearted people. People helping people—that's what we'll do as we rebuild. #JAXSTRONG #loveFL pic.twitter.com/yxQaMVtt4y
— #OnlyInJax (@Visit_Jax) September 12, 2017
Several Caribbean Islands were also among the hardest hit by Irma and are beginning the slow road to recovery. Stay tuned to the Meetings Today website for more updates as they become available.
You can also follow along with live updates via The New York Times as Irma weakens on Tuesday. The Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee were expected to be hit with heavy rains and strong winds.
