Key West evacuees ready to return home

WEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- After days of roughing it in a South Florida shelter, Key West evacuees are ready to head back home.

"It's a little bit of cabin fever. I've been here since Sunday," said Lynn Shurin. Shurin, like many other evacuees, is anxious to get back to her home in the Keys. If weather permits, evacuees will be able to return home Wednesday morning.

"I miss work, and I like my work. I work for Publix in Key West, and I like my work, and there's so much you can do here," said Caesar Guzman. Guzman is among 400 Keys residents who were sent to the Florida International University shelter due to Hurricane Ike and is now waiting to get back to his home and back to work.

Fearing the worst, Patricia Velardo left her home to come to the shelter. "Hurricanes haven't been too bad, but this one sounded like it was gonna be a real bad one," said Velardo.

The Red Cross provided water, food, shelter and medical attention for those who needed it.

Key West transit buses lined the parking lot, waiting for the "all clear" from Monroe County Officials.

Though Hurricane Ike missed the Keys, sending only wind and rain to the area, those who evacuated are happy they left. "No, I don't regret it at all. I'm glad I was safer than safe," said Shurin.

Key West evacuees got on buses at 8 a.m., while special needs evacuees will be placed on buses at noon.

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