Florida Keys Open to Visitors Again After Brush with Rita

Officials here said the Florida Keys are ready to invite visitors back after the islands´ brush Sept. 20 with Hurricane Rita.

Although meteorologists had warned Rita could be a possible Category 2 or 3 storm when it impacted the Keys, Rita only rose to Category 1 level at the time, with maximum 74-mph winds.

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway was undamaged by the storm, officials reported. A number of low-lying areas were flooded by the tidal surge, but according to Andy Newman, spokesman for the Florida Keys Tourism Council, the flooding caused no significant structural damage to buildings. Electric utility officials reported that power was completely restored in the area by early Sept. 23.

Some of the Everglades National Park has reopened to visitors. Meanwhile, Fort Jefferson, in the Dry Tortugas National Park, is scheduled to reopen Sept. 24.