The streets of Key West flood as hurricane Helene crosses

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.

[painexotic]

im so happy i moved out of florida. Got tired of these insane hurricane seasons smh. Hope all is well with people living there.

[My_pookie]

Wow, I'm on a mandatory evacuation right now in North Florida so hopes my house doesn't get flooded out

[ryananderson]

Damn that’s only the very beginning too

[osore_rareru]

Us people that live in Georgia have to thank Florida for being our storm shield

[bonnieandclyde]

Hope everyone keeps safe there, and the animals 🙏 from Midlands UK

[RoadTripAA]

This is why the Key West cemetery has slabs over the grave site instead of headstones.

[Ellery_Jane]

just barely driving on that street prayers for everyone

[jodicotton]

This is why ship Captains don't build their homes by the ocean. Too much history.

[jishan]

This is what hurricane helene did by being so far away imagine what milton can bring

[justsayin]

1 thousand years from now archeologists will wonder what the remnants of Key West was. I wonder if there were other islands around there that were eroded and disappeared?

[jacoblecoy]

Now they might change Duval St. To Duval Canal?

[jishan]

And they thought the hurricane wasn't gonna touch even tho helen damaged so much of Florida by barely touching 8t

[scooter]

Moved here a month ago.. not a great first impression

[roosalynfeleciasmall]

Praying that's why I don't move to other states.

[BudgetCat]

MANA HURRICANE IS GOING ON? WHO DIDNT TELL ME

[Supermanisontheway]

WARNING FOR THOSE WHO STAYED IN THEIR HOMES ⚠: IF YOU STAYED IN YOUR HOME, WRITE A SSL OR A DL NUMBER IDENTIFYING YOUR LAST REMAINS IF YOU DON'T DIE. AMEN TO THOSE WHO STAYED. 🙏

[ПулатжонАбдурахмонов-хм]

Bu ish tugamaydi Falastin Tinch bo'lmaguncha Israel yo'q bo'lmaguncha

[Bojangle]

Yall trippin over a cat 2-3? I went through the eye wall with a cat 4 that was 2 mph from a cat 5🤣 yall are ridiculous

[ПулатжонАбдурахмонов-хм]

Bu ish Alloh Tabarok Ta'lo tomonidan amalga oshirilmoqda keyingi nishon Isroil davlati tele avivda🤲😅🏞🌅🇮🇱🪓