The effects of Hurricane Helene could be felt in the lower Florida Keys on Wednesday night.
“This is not going to be too bad for us, but it is going to be something for our friends on the boats — that’s the ones we’re really worried about,” said Key West resident Tripp Neely.
Business owners and homeowners alike were going through the familiar process of preparing for a storm as Helene strengthened to the southwest.
While the storm isn’t anticipated to hit the Keys directly, its impacts are expected to be felt by way of rain, high wind and storm surge.
“We’ve never been in a hurricane before,” said Paul Rutzen, who is visiting with his wife from Minneapolis. “It’s been interesting.”
Monica Chukayne is also visiting Key West from out of town. She’s there for her daughter’s wedding on Saturday.
“We were coming down no matter what,” she said. “They’re making the best of it.”
As preparations continue, Monroe County Public Schools announced that they would be closed on Thursday.
