Hurricane in Florida, September 12 to 14, 2004

Hurricane Ivan tracked through the central Gulf of Mexico after crossing the extreme western tip of Cuba. A few outer rain bands affected the Lower Keys on September 14, producing wind gusts to 46 knots (53 mph) at Key West International Airport, and to 42 knots (48 mph) at the Sand Key C-MAN station. Storm tides were estimated at 1 foot above normal...which in concert with higher-than-usual astronomical tides produced water levels up to 2 feet above normal. These values were similar to what was achieved during Hurricane Charley. Wind damage was limited to downed tree limbs in the Keys between the Seven Mile Bridge and Key West. With two previous tropical cyclone events, the measured winds were not enough to produce additional significant tree damage. Most significant was the mandatory evacuation order of all Keys residents and visitors beginning on September 9. Newspapers reported up to 50 percent of all Monroe County residents evacuated the islands. The prolongued labor shortages and discontinuation of delivered goods from September 9 through September 12 caused widespread fuel and food shortages at commercial establishments.