FHP assesses South Florida highways after Irma, asks drivers to 'stay off the road'

Some trees down on I-95, other roadways, FHP says

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol is assessing the South Florida roadways after Hurricane Irma to make sure they're safe for drivers.

Sgt. Mark Wysocky said troopers resumed patrol about 9 p.m. Sunday.

"There are some trees down along I-95 and some of the ramps from 595 to 95, so we're going to be out there patrolling and looking for any obstructions that are in the roadway," Wysocky told Local 10 News during a telephone interview Monday morning.

Wysocky said there was a tree down on the westbound Interstate 595 ramp to northbound Interstate 95. He said there was another tree down on the entrance ramp from Northwest 57th Avenue to the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike.

Maintenance crews were assessing the highways, but removal wasn't expected to begin until daylight.

Wysocky said southbound Interstate 75 and the southbound Sawgrass Expressway through Broward County appeared to be clear, but he said drivers shouldn't take any chances.

"We just want to remind everybody, just stay off the road right now until we can get these areas assessed and get them safe again for people to drive," Wysocky said.

Wysocky also had a message to those who fled South Florida in advance of the storm -- hold off before driving back.

"We need to be around these areas where the roadways are blocked to warn people ahead of time," he said.