Keys Are Evacuating

LaBelle, Fl -- An evacuation order has been issued for the Florida Keys.
Although Hurricane Ivan is still about 900 miles from Key West, the single
road out of the keys means major problems should the storm head that way.
The National Hurricane Center issued this statement at 5:15 p.m. Thursday:

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER HAS BEEN MADE FOR ALL VISITORS AND
NON-RESIDENTS. OWNERS OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND BOAT TRAILERS SHOULD
ALSO REMOVE THEIR PROPERTY FROM THE KEYS AT THIS TIME. MOBILE HOME
RESIDENTS SHOULD PREPARE FOR EVACUATION BEGINNING AT 600 PM THIS
EVENING. A PHASED EVACUATION OF ALL RESIDENTS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
AND FLAMINGO MAY BE INITIATED TOMORROW. ALL RESIDENTS THAT WISH TO
LEAVE TODAY ARE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO. CONTACT THE MONROE COUNTY
EMERGENCY INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 1 800...9 5 5...5 5 0 4 FOR THE
LATEST INFORMATION ON EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES.

ALL COUNTY AND STATE PARKS WILL CLOSE TODAY. MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS
ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED FOR CLASSES ON FRIDAY.

ALL TOLLS AT THE CARD SOUND ROAD AND FLORIDA TURNPIKE HAVE BEEN
LIFTED. A SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE HEADING NORTH OF FORT
LAUDERDALE...I-95 IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LAST
WEEKEND'S HURRICANE FRANCES.

KEY WEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL CONTINUE FLIGHT SERVICE THROUGH
AT LEAST FRIDAY NIGHT. MOST AIRLINES ARE SCHEDULING EXTRA FLIGHTS.
PLEASE CALL THE AIRLINES FOR FLIGHT INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS.

GREYHOUND BUS SERVICE WILL CONTINUE SERVICE THROUGH AT LEAST FRIDAY
NIGHT WITH 4 KEY WEST AIRPORT DEPARTURES AND ADDITIONAL STOPS ALL
ALONG THE KEYS. CALL 1 800...2 3 1...2 2 2 2...FOR MORE
INFORMATION.

PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE TO FORT MYERS WILL CONTINUE FRIDAY WITH 2
DEPARTURES...CALL 3 0 5...2 9 4...4000...EXTENSION 7 5 1 3...FOR
MORE INFORMATION.