HURRICANE GEORGES September 25, 1998 GEORGES slammed into the Florida Keys, causing severe damage from Marathon to Key West, and catastrophic damage in the Big Pine to Cudjoe area, where many homes were lost. Among the most damaged areas in Key West was the charming and popular House Boat Row. Only about nine of the boats survived and most of those were significantly damaged. You may click on any of the images on this page to enlarge them. Close the picture window to return here. One of the few, and most picturesque did survive quite well More than 19,000 tons of trees and vegetation were destroyed. The South Beach restaurant was inundated with water and seaweed from a five foot storm surge with waves on a two foot elevation beach. A car was also not so lucky amongst the falling trees The historic Hemingway House's beautiful garden was all but decimated and left completely treeless, some of which cut up on the sidewalk, served as an impromptu bench for a passerby. Miraculously though, Key West was back up and ready for business four days ahead of schedule, after little more than a week. Those who have visited before will miss the shade they remembered in places, and some of us are still waiting for permanent roofs (11/7), but all in all, the whole path of this storm and people has been remarkably smooth. A lot was learned from Andrew, and still more from Georges as far as the Keys go. That is not to say any hurricane should be taken lightly, but it is heartening that in the US at least, we have learned, (and continue to) hopefully not be destined to repeat history....at least as far as storms go. (R.I.P. Matthew Shepard 10/12/98) For a great gift idea for children of all ages check out author Lynn Salisbury's DINGHY DOG OF HOUSEBOAT ROW site. Contents Copyright (C) 1998 by Hayward McKee
GEORGES slammed into the Florida Keys, causing severe damage from Marathon to Key West, and catastrophic damage in the Big Pine to Cudjoe area, where many homes were lost.
Among the most damaged areas in Key West was the charming and popular House Boat Row. Only about nine of the boats survived and most of those were significantly damaged. You may click on any of the images on this page to enlarge them. Close the picture window to return here.
One of the few, and most picturesque did survive quite well
More than 19,000 tons of trees and vegetation were destroyed. The South Beach restaurant was inundated with water and seaweed from a five foot storm surge with waves on a two foot elevation beach. A car was also not so lucky amongst the falling trees
The historic Hemingway House's beautiful garden was all but decimated and left completely treeless, some of which cut up on the sidewalk, served as an impromptu bench for a passerby.
Miraculously though, Key West was back up and ready for business four days ahead of schedule, after little more than a week. Those who have visited before will miss the shade they remembered in places, and some of us are still waiting for permanent roofs (11/7), but all in all, the whole path of this storm and people has been remarkably smooth. A lot was learned from Andrew, and still more from Georges as far as the Keys go. That is not to say any hurricane should be taken lightly, but it is heartening that in the US at least, we have learned, (and continue to) hopefully not be destined to repeat history....at least as far as storms go. (R.I.P. Matthew Shepard 10/12/98)
For a great gift idea for children of all ages check out author Lynn Salisbury's DINGHY DOG OF HOUSEBOAT ROW site.
Contents Copyright (C) 1998 by Hayward McKee