Sunday, September 7, 2008
Florida Keys placed under a hurricane watch
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) -- The Florida Keys are under a hurricane watch as Hurricane Ike approaches Cuba.
A watch means hurricane force winds of 74 mph or higher could hit the low-lying island chain within 36 hours.
Evacuations began in Key West at 8 a.m. and will continue throughout the day. Evacuations begin at noon for the Middle Keys, and at 4 p.m. for the Upper Keys, including Key Largo. Visitors were told to leave Saturday.
Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi says he understands it's inconvenient but safety is the priority.
Still, the streets of Key West were practically empty Sunday morning, but not because of the storm -- the town stays up late and sleeps late.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV 09-07-08 1052EDT
