Officials in Monroe County , which covers the Keys, ordered a mandatory evacuation of mobile homes and recreational vehicles. Schools were closed for the rest of the week. Fewer than 100 people stayed at the shelters Thursday night. People living on barrier islands and areas that usually flood in storms also were urged to move to higher ground. That's the thing we are most concerned about.
Storm surge is an increase in the depth of sea water caused by a storm.
Though barely a hurricane with 75 mph winds around its center, Irene brought torrential rains as it crawled across the straits separating Cuba from the United States. Big Pine Key had a gust recorded at 103 mph, the National Weather Service said. A tornado touchdown was reported in Boca Chica Key. Roads were covered with water in the Keys, a chain of islands stretching south more than 100 miles from the lower tip of the mainland. But late in the morning the rain stopped as the eye of the storm moved overhead.