Tropical Storm and High Wind in Florida, August 29 to 30, 2006

Tropical Storm Ernesto tracked from the Florida Straits, making landfall in Islamorada late in the evening on August 29, 2006. Ernesto continued north northwest through Florida Bay before reaching mainland Monroe County on the morning of August 30. 62 residents were sheltered within the county, with 35 special needs residents sheltered out-of-county. In the Upper Keys of Monroe County, peak wind gusts included 42 knots (48 mph) at Molasses Reef Light, and 41 knots (47 mph) at the Islamorada Fire/Rescue Station. Small tree limbs were reported down along county road 905, and one tree was uprooted in the Lake Surprise subdivision. Lowest pressure reported was 1004.1 mb at Molasses Reef Light. Storm total rainfall was measured at 2.50 inches at Tavernier, and 2.32 inches at John Pennekamp State Park. No significant storm tide was measured or reported.

Tropical Storm Ernesto tracked from the Florida Straits, making landfall in Islamorada late in the evening on August 29, 2006. Ernesto continued north northwest through Florida Bay before reaching mainland Monroe County on the morning of August 30. 62 residents were sheltered within the county, with 35 special needs residents sheltered out-of-county. In the Middle Keys of Monroe County, peak wind gusts were measured at 52 knots (60 mph) from a rain band at Long Key CMAN station, and 51 knots (59 mph) at Duck Key during the early afternoon of August 29th. A peak wind gust was measured at 38 knots (44 mph) at Sombrero Key Light. Small tree limbs were down in Key Colony Beach. The minimum pressure recorded was 1005.4 mb at Long Key Light CMAN. Storm total rainfall included 3.18 inches at Marathon, 3.91 inches at Curry Hammock State Park, and 3.63 inches at Duck Key. Storm tides reached 1.5 feet above sea level between 0500 and 0600 EST on August 30th at Vaca Key (Marathon), but no flooding was reported.

Tropical Storm Ernesto tracked from the Florida Straits, making landfall in Islamorada late in the evening on August 29, 2006. Ernesto continued north northwest through Florida Bay before reaching mainland Monroe County on the morning of August 30. 62 residents were sheltered within the county, with 35 special needs residents sheltered out-of-county. In the Lower Keys of Monroe County, maximum wind gusts were measured at 35 knots (40 mph) at Sand Key Light and 34 knots (39 mph) and Key West International Airport. Minimum pressure recorded was 1008.1 mb at Key West Airport. Storm total rainfall totaled around 2 inches at Cudjoe Key, and 4.59 inches at Big Pine Key, and 1.35 inches in Key West.No significant storm tide was observed in the Lower Keys. Rainfall caused minor street flooding on Big Pine Key the morning of August 30th. County damage of 200 dollars was due to equipment destroyed by a leaking roof.

Wind gust 51 knots (59 mph) measured at Duck Key in association with a rain band from Tropical Storm Ernesto.