Florida Keys: Help is on the Way

USS Abraham Lincoln

The Florida Keys are about to receive the help of the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with the USS Iwo Jima and USS New York. The naval fleet is headed to the Keys to assist in search and rescue, said Florida Governor Rick Scott in a Tweet yesterday.

FL has full support of US Military- USS Iwo Jima, USS New York & aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln prepared to support search and rescue.

— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 11, 2017

Scott called the damage in the Keys “devastation.” FoxNews.com reports:

“It’s horrible, what we saw,” Scott said. “I know for our entire state, especially the Keys, it’s going to be a long road.”

He said the Navy dispatched the Abraham Lincoln, the USS Iwo Jima and USS New York. Emergency managers in the islands declared on Monday “the Keys are not open for business” and warned that there was no fuel, electricity, running water or cell service and that supplies were low and anxiety high.

“HELP IS ON THE WAY,” they promised on Facebook.

The Keys are linked by 42 bridges that have to be checked for safety before motorists can be allowed in, officials said. The governor said the route also needs to be cleared of debris and sand, but should be usable fairly quickly.