Hurricane Gustav moved west-northwest through the northwest Caribbean Sea, crossing over western Cuba before continuing into the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical storm force winds spread over the Middle and Lower Florida Keys of Monroe County August 30 through 31, 2008.  Storm total rainfall was very light, owing to the large distance between the Florida Keys and the core of the hurricane. There was minor tidal overwash from the Atlantic side of the Keys due to a minor storm surge and large seas in the Florida Straits.

Storm Surge/Tide in MONROE/LOWER KEYS, FLORIDA
From 31-AUG-08 11:00:00 to 31-AUG-08 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Minor overwash occurred along the south shore of Key West in association with the passage of Hurricane Gustav. Storm tides peaked at 2.5 feet above sea level.  Large waves resulted in inundation of several streets along the immediate shoreline.  No property damage resulted from the coastal flooding.

Tropical Storm in MONROE/LOWER KEYS, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-08 11:00:00 to 31-AUG-08 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Hurricane Gustav passed well southwest of the Florida Keys of Monroe County during the night from August 30 to 31, 2008. Tropical storm force winds affected the Middle and Lower Florida Keys, with the highest sustained wind in the Lower Florida Keys measured at 40 knots (46 mph) at Key West International Airport, with gusts to 48 knots (55 mph).  Storm total rainfall was less than two inches at all reporting locations in the Lower Florida Keys. The lowest sea level pressure was reported to be 1004.1 mb at Key West International Airport, and 1001.2 mb at sea at Pulaski Shoal Light, located about 7 miles east-northeast of Dry Tortugas National Park.  Coastal storm tides peaked at 2.1 feet above sea level at Key West Harbor, but were estimated at 2.5 feet above sea level along the south shore of Key West.  Property damage is unknown, due to blending of Monroe County damage assessments with Hurricane Ike, which affected the Keys less than two weeks later.  One direct fatality occurred at sea 20 miles south of Dry Tortugas... approximately 80 miles west southwest of Key West.

Tropical Storm in MONROE/MIDDLE KEYS, FLORIDA
From 30-AUG-08 11:00:00 to 31-AUG-08 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Hurricane Gustav passed well southwest of the Florida Keys of Monroe County during the night from August 30 to 31, 2008. Tropical storm force winds affected the Middle and Lower Florida Keys, with the highest sustained wind in the Middle Florida Keys measured at 31 knots (36 mph) at Key West International Airport, with gusts to 44 knots (51 mph).  Storm total rainfall was highest at Marathon, where 2.61 inches was recorded. The lowest sea level pressure was reported to be 1004.1 mb at Key West International Airport, and 1001.2 mb at sea at Pulaski Shoal Light, located about 7 miles east-northeast of Dry Tortugas National Park.  Coastal storm tides peaked at 2.1 feet above sea level at Key West Harbor, but were estimated at 2.5 feet above sea level along the south shore of Key West.  Storm tides peaked at 1.5 feet above sea level along the south shores of the Middle Keys, which was 1.0 foot above astronomical tides. Property damage is unknown, due to blending of Monroe County damage assessments with Hurricane Ike, which affected the Keys less than two weeks later.  One direct fatality occurred at sea 20 miles south of Dry Tortugas... approximately 80 miles west southwest of Key West.