What keeps the safety director of the most vulnerable spot in US up at night before hurricane season

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — No place is more vulnerable to hurricanes in the 50 U.S. states than the Florida Keys.
The chain of islands celebrated by singer Jimmy Buffett in his odes to tropical escapism is surrounded by water, jutting out 120 miles southwesterly from Florida's mainland to Key West with the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on either side.
The archipelago historically has been known for its quirky and libertarian inhabitants who revel in the islands' hedonistic, artistic and outdoorsy lifestyle. In recent years, it also has become a haven for the wealthy.
Overseeing safety for the more than 80,000 inhabitants of the Conch Republic — the nickname for the islands after denizens declared a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in the early 1980s — is Shannon Weiner, director of emergency management for Monroe County, Florida.
The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and the county has some new weapons this season, including a brand-new emergency operations center and a new seawater desalination water treatment plant. The county also relies on surveillance flights from hurricane-hunting aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for information about how to prepare.
But, the potential for a catastrophic storm like Hurricane Irma in 2017 is always at the back of residents' minds. The Category 4 storm made landfall in the Florida Keys with winds up to 132 mph (209.2 kph), destroying around 1,180 homes and seriously damaging another 3,000.
Weiner recently talked to the Associated Press about the upcoming hurricane season. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
___
AP: Why is Monroe County perhaps the most vulnerable place in the 50 U.S. states for hurricanes?
Weiner: Our entire island chain is surrounded by water. We have more water than we do land mass. Being uniquely situated between the two large bodies of water makes us very vulnerable. We see storms early, sometimes in their formation — storms that come across the Atlantic and then storms that develop in the south, in the Caribbean Sea. We tend to be in their path, and so we get a lot of storm practice here in Monroe County.
AP: Given your dependence on the National Weather Service and NOAA for hurricane predictions, how concerned are you about recent job cuts and budget cuts to the federal government?
Weiner: The weather service is a good partner, and the field offices, from what they were telling us and what they're hearing here, everyone is secure. They are not expecting or anticipating any cuts to the (Florida Keys) field offices. So, of course, going into hurricane season, we're really happy to hear that.
AP: Can we talk about Hurricane Irma? The Keys have always been vulnerable, but Irma was a shock to the system, right?
Weiner: The Keys had not had a storm of that magnitude or size since the early 20th century. People tend to get complacent. It's human nature, right? They're not as worried. They're not as prepared. We were very fortunate with Irma in that we had plenty of days' notice to evacuate. But when we came home and saw the devastation, it was an eye-opener. Being an island chain, we had unique challenges bringing logistics in to help us recover.
AP: Do residents typically evacuate when they are asked to?
Weiner: Usually, they tend to heed that advice. We are constantly reminding people to be prepared and how important it is in our county to evacuate because the Florida Keys, the entirety of the island chain, is a storm surge zone. People here tend to be pretty savvy when it comes to storms, and throughout the entire Keys, the bigger concern is storm surge rather than wind. We say, 'Hide from the wind and run from the water.'
AP: We are close to the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What is keeping you up at night?
Weiner: The city of Key West is an incredibly resilient community. There's a lot of history there. But there is also a lot of older architecture there. There's a lot of wooden homes, and for them to receive a storm, a direct impact of a major magnitude, that would be devastating for them. That is what keeps me up at night – a Category 4 or 5 storm hitting Key West.
AP: Given the Keys' vulnerability, why do you think people choose to stay and live there?
Weiner: Because it's beautiful here. It really is an island paradise. Being surrounded by a national marine sanctuary is amazing. I think everyone that lives here, we all live here for that reason. Because we appreciate the environment and the marine life and love the water. And so it's worth it. You make sure that you're prepared, and you have a plan if you need to go. And you go somewhere safe, and you come back, and you just put it back together.
___
Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Forbes

17 minutes ago

• Forbes

Summer's First Heat Wave: 170 Million Will Be Affected By High Temps

States in the Midwest will face high temperatures in the coming days during the summer's first 'dangerous' heat wave, according to the National Weather Service, which said the potentially record-setting weather will bear down on the East Coast by Sunday and last well into next week. The heat wave will begin this weekend and last well into next week. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty ... More Images) Getty Images An expanding heat wave hitting the Southwest and Rockies will shift by the weekend to produce 'the most oppressive heat of the season to date' from the Midwest to the Northeast this weekend and next week, according to a Thursday statement from the NWS. Widespread maximum temperatures will likely be tied or broken across the Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley to the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic over the next several days, the NWS said in a Saturday update. Major and/or extreme heat risks will spread further into the Midwest and East Coast come Sunday, 'where anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration will be affected,' the NWS added. By Saturday: The heat wave will begin in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Mo., Des Moines, Iowa, Memphis, Tenn., St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit. By Sunday: The heat wave should reach Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, N.Y., Nashville, Tenn., Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Richmond, Va., Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Albany, N.Y. By Monday: The heat wave will hit Boston, Hartford, Conn., and Concord, Mass. The NWS reported sunny skies, light winds and little overnight cooling will contribute to the heat wave and 'significantly increase the danger' of extreme heat, the number one cause of weather-related deaths. Although the hottest temperatures are expected during the weekend, there is a moderate risk extreme heat will persist into later next week for parts of the Ohio Valley and East Coast states (New York could see 100-degree temperatures on Monday or Tuesday). Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts : We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . Big Number 170 million. That is roughly how many people will be affected by the scorching heat, according to AccuWeather, with AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter noting 'an amplified risk of heat-related illnesses because this is the first heat wave of the year for millions of people, and their bodies are not yet acclimated to this type of heat and humidity.' Record temperatures. The NWS said several daily record highs and warm lows are likely this weekend into next week. Chicago and Detroit's daily high temperature records are both 105, while the highest temperature ever observed in New York City is 106. What States And Cities Will Be Impacted By The Heat Wave? Much of South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas felt the heat Friday and are still seeing 90-degree temperatures. By Saturday, temperatures in the low 90s are forecast to reach Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Cities with major or extreme heat risks over the weekend include Chicago, Omaha, Neb., Kansas City, Mo., Indianapolis and Louisville, Ky. Those heat risks are forecast for Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, N.Y., Washington D.C., Richmond, Va., New York City and Albany, N.Y. Will 2025 Top 2024—the Hottest On Record—as Climate Change Heats Up Planet? 2024 was the hottest year on record, with the average land and ocean surface temperatures reaching 2.32 degrees above the 20th-century average, according to NOAA. The World Meteorological Organization said in an outlook there is an 80% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than 2024 as the planet continues to warm. Key Background The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported an above-average temperature outlook for most of the U.S. in June. The Mid-Atlantic has a 40% to 50% chance to experience above average temperatures, while states in the northeast have a 50% to 60% chance of above normal temperatures, according to NOAA's outlook. Extreme heat and humidity is a leading weather-related killer in the U.S., killing hundreds every year, according to the NWS, which notes the elderly, small children and people on medication are most exposed to heat related stresses. People living in areas with high heat are encouraged to reduce outdoor activities, drink water and spend time indoors. 'Virtually Certain' 2024 Will Be The Hottest Year On Record, EU Climate Body Says (Forbes)

Washington Post

17 minutes ago

• Washington Post

Dortmund beats Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in blistering hot Club World Cup group stage match

CINCINNATI — Borussia Dortmund was gifted an easy goal to start the match and held off a strong response from the Mamelodi Sundowns on a fiercely warm day to win 4-3 in the Club World Cup group stage on Saturday. Both teams and the crowd of 14,006 at TQL Stadium sweat through high temperatures that forced a heat advisory and cooling breaks, called at the referee's discretion. Temperatures approached 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius).

CNN

24 minutes ago

• CNN

A potent heat dome is sending temperatures into the triple digits

The hottest temperatures of the year so far will soon reach the eastern half of the United States as a brutal heat dome starts to build over the weekend. Dangerous, record-breaking heat will impact millions next week. Much of the East is getting a brief respite from the July-like heat that baked the region earlier this week, but thermometers will soar to even more extreme levels starting Sunday. Tens of millions of people from the Midwest to the East Coast will face a level 4-of-4 extreme heat risk Sunday through at least Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Such long-lasting heat is rare, will likely offer little to no overnight relief and will affect anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,' the agency warns. High temperatures across the Plains, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are expected to hit at least 15 degrees above normal next week and will mark the hottest temperatures of the year to date, rising well into the 90s. With humidity, it could feel as hot as 110 degrees — especially in the Mid-Atlantic. The heat will peak in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic early next week. Forecast highs are around 97 degrees in New York City Sunday through Tuesday and could break daily records. In Washington, DC, the temperature could reach 100 — matching or breaking records on both days. Boston is expected to be around 90 degrees on Monday and 94 on Tuesday, just shy of daily records set in the mid-90s. Over 250 daily temperature records could be broken on Monday and Tuesday, including both record highs and record warm lows — many at sites with data going back to the early 1900s. Heat remains the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US, contributing to more than 800 deaths annually on average since 1999, a 2023 study found. Days of intense heat disproportionately drive more severe public health impacts, even in places accustomed to summer heat. Emergency room visits for heat-related illness surge on 'major' and 'extreme' risk days, particularly when high humidity and warm nights prevent the body from cooling, according to the National Weather Service. Nighttime temperatures are also warming faster than daytime highs due to climate change. This makes it harder for the body to cool and recover and increases the risk of heat-related illness and death. This stretch of heat is building just as the seasons officially change. The summer solstice was on Friday at 10:42 p.m. ET, the moment the Northern Hemisphere is tilted closest to the sun. The solstice brings the highest sun angles and longest days of the year, meaning more solar energy is available to fuel extreme heat. The solstice is the start of astronomical summer, but meteorologists mark the beginning of summer on June 1, using calendar months to better match seasonal weather patterns. The hottest weeks of the year still lie ahead. For nearly all of the country — outside of parts of the Desert Southwest in Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas — the warmest days typically occur in July or August. This early-season event is likely just a preview of what's to come, though this stretch of heat is expected to ease by the end of next week. CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert contributed to this report.