Residents Begin Returning To The Florida Keys After Hurricane Rita Passes, Visitors Welcome From Fri

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. October 14, 2008

MIAMI, FL, September 22, 2005. Evacuated residents began returning to the Florida Keys on Wednesday, after Hurricane Rita paid the island chain an unwelcome visit on Tuesday. Keys officials recommended visitors could begin returning to the Keys on Friday as accommodations and tourist facilities would require at least a few days to get their employees back, undo hurricane protective actions and effect any necessary cleanup. They advised people to contact lodging facilities in advance to ensure their operational status.

Impacts that were felt, primarily in the Lower Keys and Key West, were in the Category 1 range, much lower than the Category 3 which was expected, with the highest sustained winds approaching minimal hurricane strength of 74 mph, according to weather forecasters.

Rita did not affect any other parts of Florida and the Sunshine State is very much open for business!

Updates on the whole of the State of Florida can be found on www.visitflorida.com. Tourism information and phone numbers for Keys chambers of commerce and the tourism council's visitor's bureau can be found on the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.