ACCESS TO SHELTERS: The Red Cross opened shelters at Marathon Middle High School, 250 Sobrero Beach Rd., and Island Christian High School, 83400 Overseas Hwy., in Islamorada. They were also getting ready to open shelters at Sugarloaf High School, 255 Crane Blvd., in Summerland Key, Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave., and Coral Shores High School, 89901 Old Hwy., in Tavernier.
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE: Also in Tavernier, the Mariners Hospital opened Friday. The Community Health for South Florida also opened its Tavernier Health Center, 91200 Overseas Highway, for primary care and pediatric services. There were also medical care stations at Florida Keys Community College on Stock Island and at Marathon City Hall. The Department of Health and Human Services activated their 1-800-985-5990 helpline.
WHERE TO FIND WATER: There was a precautionary boil water notice in effect. The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority workers were distributing water from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in Summerland Key on Horace Street, Big Pine Key on Drinka Road, and at the Big Coppitt Pump Station on U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 10.
WHERE TO FIND FOOD: There were food distribution centers at Coral Shores High School, 89901 Old Hwy., in Tarvernier; Marathon High School, 350 Sombrero Beach Rd.; Sugarloaf School, 255 Crane Blvd., in Summerland Key; Searstown Shopping Center at 3316 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; and the National Key Deer Refuge Office 179 Key Deer Blvd., Big Pine Key. The Salvation Army will be serving barbecue dinners in Marathon and Key West.
GETTING RID OF DEBRIS: Monroe County isn't charging residents for picking up debris. Garbage collectors were warning residents household garbage, appliances and waste cannot be mixed with branches, seaweed and other vegetative debris. They were also asking residents to stack it without blocking the road and away from sewer system breathers, and not on vacant lots.
GETTING FINANCIAL AID: The Federal Emergency Management Agency registration can be done on disasterassistance.gov anytime or from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 for callers with a speech disability or hearing loss. After registration, applicants have to schedule a free inspection. The FEMA employee will provide a photo ID and applicants can call 1-866-720-5721 if there is a suspicion of fraud. FEMA will communicate the results of the claim via e-mail or letter.
COMMUNICATION: Monroe County has an information hotline: 1-800-955-5504.
HAZARDS AT SEA: The U.S. Coast Guard was asking the public to report hazards to navigation at 304-433-3352.
