Florida Keys feel wrath of Hurricane Helene
KEY WEST - The Florida Keys were not in the eye of Hurricane Helene, but they did get some strong winds and rough waves.
Strong winds and rough waves overwhelmed the drains on Roosevelt Boulevard on Thursday morning, as all of South Florida was under a tropical storm warning.
Eric Walzer lives in the area and knows better than to try to drive through it.
"I know this island well enough that it just gets worse once you get to that bend over there," Eric Walzer said. "That was flooded yesterday so I don't know how these people are getting through. If they're getting through."
Kerbee Bee, who was visiting from Utah, said this was the first time she's seen this kind of storm.
"I feel bad for the people who spent money on a vacation and don't get to enjoy it," Bee said.
After the water subsided by late morning, Leo Masters and his four pump trucks were tasked with clearing the crud out of each clogged pipe.
"We have higher parts of the island," Masters said. "This is a lower part of the island so this is a hotpot."
Monroe County remained under a state of emergency Thursday.
County offices will be back open Friday along with Key West's City Hall, waste collection and transit services.
Monroe County schools were closed Thursday and Friday.
Florida Keys Marathon International and Key West International Airport are open.
Crews will have to wait until it's no longer low tide.
Jo Mares, who has lived in the Keys for 25 years, said he's used to the tougher fishing weather, but he just moved into a house with hurricane windows.
"I don't know if they'll do anything," he said. "Gas for the generator. Plenty of food."
County Commissioner Craig Cates urged people who live on boats to move them to a shelter because it's not safe to stay out in the water with the rough waves.
"A lot of 'em are on anchors out there which will not hold in a storm like this," Cates said. "They'll drag, They'll end up on the bank."
Scott Mosby, who was visiting Key West from Texas, didn't drive, and he was hoping his condo can withstand the storm.
"I think the likelihood of being able to get out of here and catch a flight back to Houston today or tomorrow is not very possible so we're gonna let it pass," Mosby said.
On Wednesday, Suzanne Maywalt saved a baby chick that was stuck in storm water. She saw it getting swept into a drain.
"I don't think it would have made it because it didn't have its mom," Maywalt said. "And sometimes the streets will flood in little areas and cover them:"
She's helping out her fellow islanders as Helene makes its way toward landfall.