Keys Escape Serious Damage!

Hi Everyone,

I received this information from the Florida Keys Tourist Development
Council and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed any
of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Keys Escape Serious Damage From Hurricane Charley

Destination Set to Reopen to Visitors Saturday

FLORIDA KEYS Aug. 13, 2004
The Florida Keys & Key West are slated to reopen to visitors Saturday
morning following a brush by Hurricane Charley, Keys officials said
Friday afternoon.
The storm's eye passed about 70 miles west of Key West early Friday
morning and the distance was far enough to keep damaging
hurricane-force winds well away from the Lower Keys and Key West that
had been under a hurricane warning.

"We are grateful Charley stayed away far enough to spare us damage,"
said Michael Ingram, chairman of the Monroe County Tourist Development
Council. "Our prayers and thoughts are with those in other areas that
are being affected by the hurricane."

Ingram said an agreement to reopen the destination followed an
analysis of the destination's infrastructure and a conference with
government and tourism officials.

There was 100 percent electrical power between Key Largo and the Seven
Mile Bridge, according to Tim Planer, CEO of Florida Keys Electric
Cooperative. Keys Energy spokesperson Lynne Tejeda said only 10
percent of her company's customers -- in the Lower Keys and Key West
-- were without power Friday afternoon. She expected full restoration
Friday night.

No significant damage was reported between Key Largo and Key West,
according to Keys emergency management officials. U.S. Highway 1 is
open and both Florida Keys Marathon Airport and Key West International
Airport. Many commercial flights to Key West are to resume service on
Saturday, said Peter Horton, Key West airports director. Keys hotels
surveyed Friday afternoon indicated some tree limbs down and some had
minor roof damage. All said they would be open Saturday.

There are damage reports for Fort Jefferson National Monument,
situated 68 miles west of Key West in the Dry Tortugas National Park,
according to National Parks Service spokesperson Rick Cook. The storm
devastated boat docks and an eight-foot storm surge came across the
island, he said.

Almost all attractions contacted indicated a resumption of service on
Saturday.

The Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com has a complete status of the
destination.

It looks like the Keys escaped, but Fort Myers took a direct hit with
1,000,000 homes without power, and a shelter in DeSoto County collapsed with
1,000 people inside (no report of injuries at this time). As I write this,
the storm is moving into Orlando and will cross back out into the Atlantic
between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville.

Tom Smith

"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message
...
Hi Everyone,

I received this information from the Florida Keys Tourist Development
Council and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed any
of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Keys Escape Serious Damage From Hurricane Charley

Destination Set to Reopen to Visitors Saturday

FLORIDA KEYS Aug. 13, 2004
The Florida Keys & Key West are slated to reopen to visitors Saturday
morning following a brush by Hurricane Charley, Keys officials said
Friday afternoon.
The storm's eye passed about 70 miles west of Key West early Friday
morning and the distance was far enough to keep damaging
hurricane-force winds well away from the Lower Keys and Key West that
had been under a hurricane warning.

"We are grateful Charley stayed away far enough to spare us damage,"
said Michael Ingram, chairman of the Monroe County Tourist Development
Council. "Our prayers and thoughts are with those in other areas that
are being affected by the hurricane."

Ingram said an agreement to reopen the destination followed an
analysis of the destination's infrastructure and a conference with
government and tourism officials.

There was 100 percent electrical power between Key Largo and the Seven
Mile Bridge, according to Tim Planer, CEO of Florida Keys Electric
Cooperative. Keys Energy spokesperson Lynne Tejeda said only 10
percent of her company's customers -- in the Lower Keys and Key West
-- were without power Friday afternoon. She expected full restoration
Friday night.

No significant damage was reported between Key Largo and Key West,
according to Keys emergency management officials. U.S. Highway 1 is
open and both Florida Keys Marathon Airport and Key West International
Airport. Many commercial flights to Key West are to resume service on
Saturday, said Peter Horton, Key West airports director. Keys hotels
surveyed Friday afternoon indicated some tree limbs down and some had
minor roof damage. All said they would be open Saturday.

There are damage reports for Fort Jefferson National Monument,
situated 68 miles west of Key West in the Dry Tortugas National Park,
according to National Parks Service spokesperson Rick Cook. The storm
devastated boat docks and an eight-foot storm surge came across the
island, he said.

Almost all attractions contacted indicated a resumption of service on
Saturday.

The Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com has a complete status of the
destination.

My prayers are with you. Stay safe and please take care. We are on the
East Coast, South Florida, and having been through a few hurricanes
know what you are experiencing.

SUNNY

My prayers are with you. Stay safe and please take care. We are on the
East Coast, South Florida, and having been through a few hurricanes
know what you are experiencing.

SUNNY

Sunny,

Thanks for the thoughts. However, I am safe and sound in Denver, CO. My
travel agent is in Marco Island, FL, though. I sent her an e-mail but
haven't heard back.

May God protect all those in Charlie's path.

Tom Smith

"villa deauville" wrote in message
...
My prayers are with you. Stay safe and please take care. We are on the
East Coast, South Florida, and having been through a few hurricanes
know what you are experiencing.

SUNNY

Sunny,

Thanks for the thoughts. However, I am safe and sound in Denver, CO. My
travel agent is in Marco Island, FL, though. I sent her an e-mail but
haven't heard back.

May God protect all those in Charlie's path.

Tom Smith

"villa deauville" wrote in message
...
My prayers are with you. Stay safe and please take care. We are on the
East Coast, South Florida, and having been through a few hurricanes
know what you are experiencing.

SUNNY

"Thomas Smith" -NO-SPAM wrote in message
...
It looks like the Keys escaped, but Fort Myers took a direct hit with
1,000,000 homes without power, and a shelter in DeSoto County collapsed
with
1,000 people inside (no report of injuries at this time). As I write
this,
the storm is moving into Orlando and will cross back out into the Atlantic
between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville.

Tom Smith


This one looks like it may top Andrew in the amount of damage done to the
state. Charley cut through such a large area of Florida. I feel for those
people that live in the path of Charley and took the direct hit. I have been
through a hurricane/tropical storm or two while living in Florida but
nothing like what people went through today. The people of Tampa Bay should
be counting their blessings that this one missed them.

Gordon

"Thomas Smith" -NO-SPAM wrote in message
...
It looks like the Keys escaped, but Fort Myers took a direct hit with
1,000,000 homes without power, and a shelter in DeSoto County collapsed
with
1,000 people inside (no report of injuries at this time). As I write
this,
the storm is moving into Orlando and will cross back out into the Atlantic
between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville.

Tom Smith


This one looks like it may top Andrew in the amount of damage done to the
state. Charley cut through such a large area of Florida. I feel for those
people that live in the path of Charley and took the direct hit. I have been
through a hurricane/tropical storm or two while living in Florida but
nothing like what people went through today. The people of Tampa Bay should
be counting their blessings that this one missed them.

Gordon

"villa deauville" wrote in message
...
My prayers are with you. Stay safe and please take care. We are on the
East Coast, South Florida, and having been through a few hurricanes
know what you are experiencing.

SUNNY

Sunny, I have been thinking of you and wondering if you were getting any of
this terrible storm.. My daughter-in-law's parents live in Jacksonville and
I'm praying they won't be in its path as it moves...I hope it moves out into
the ocean and disappears.
So many that post on rtc live in Florida and I hope that all will be safe..
I second Tom Smith's prayer that God protect all who are in danger tonight..

--Jean,~~hopes that all who live in Florida will check in with us when this
is over.

"villa deauville" wrote in message
...
My prayers are with you. Stay safe and please take care. We are on the
East Coast, South Florida, and having been through a few hurricanes
know what you are experiencing.

SUNNY

Sunny, I have been thinking of you and wondering if you were getting any of
this terrible storm.. My daughter-in-law's parents live in Jacksonville and
I'm praying they won't be in its path as it moves...I hope it moves out into
the ocean and disappears.
So many that post on rtc live in Florida and I hope that all will be safe..
I second Tom Smith's prayer that God protect all who are in danger tonight..

--Jean,~~hopes that all who live in Florida will check in with us when this
is over.