Hurricane Ike prompts evacuation of Florida Keys

Hurricane Ike, a massive category 3 storm closed in on Cuba Sunday night.

400,000 people there have been moved to higher ground, and the Florida Keys could be next in the storms path.

The surf along the Keys is calm now but that could change dramatically in the next 24-48 hours.

“This is a big storm, a very severe storm, its a cat 4 right now, and we simply have to make sure, be better safe than sorry,” said County Administrator Roman Gastesi.

And so they tie down boats, board-up homes, gas-up and get out in case Ike moves in.

“I don’t wanna take a chance, don’t know what its gonna do, what the surge might be, the outcome, said resident Marjorie Keen.

No one can be certain, but right now it looks like the Keys will get at least a glancing blow

“We’re concerned because it is a cat 4 storm and of its very nature has been inconsistent and something we cannot fully and totally predict. Right now we are standing ready and are continuing with our emergency evacuation making sure our resident’s safety is first and foremost,” said Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson.

A concern that now reaches all the way to the Gulf Coast.

The current forecast track shows Ike could strike anywhere from Texas to west Florida.

New Orleans is in the center of that swath.

Still picking up after Gustav, officials in Louisiana late Sunday declared another state of emergency in anticipation of Ike.

“Hurricane Ike is a very dangerous storm. All residents should take it very seriously,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

But then most everyone in the region is anticipating Ike.
Working and waiting as the storm closes in.