Hurricane Irma destruction: 360-degree view of a canal in Big Pine Key

Monroe County residents return to sea of debris

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MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – Hurricane Irma made landfall in Cudjoe Key at 9:10 a.m., Sept. 10. The majority of residents in the lower Florida Keys evacuated, and those who were finally allowed to come back Sunday were faced with a painful reality. 

Big Pine Key was destroyed. Authorities reported a man was dead inside a partially sunken boat across from the cemetery. Boats tossed around like toys were everywhere. Storm surge brought in seaweed into living rooms. Winds removed roofs and damaged walls.

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Getty Images Photos by Joe Raedle and Chip Somodeville

 


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The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.