As Hurricane Sandy moved through the central and northwest Bahamas, frequent tropical storm force wind gusts and higher-than-normal tides occurred throughout the Florida Keys.

Tropical Storm in MONROE/MIDDLE KEYS, FLORIDA
From 24-OCT-12 18:00:00 to 26-OCT-12 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Hurricane Sandy produced tropical storm force wind gusts in the Upper Florida Keys as it moved north through the central and northwest Bahamas.  Due to outer rain bands forming well outside the central circulation of Hurricane Sandy, tropical storm force wind gusts began in the Middle Florida Keys before any other portion of the island chain.  Maximum sustained winds ranged from 30 to 40 mph from Long Key through Marathon, with peak gusts measured at 58 mph at Long Key, and 47 mph at Marathon.  Very minor wind damage occurred, from isolated power outages due to tree limbs contacting power lines. Approximately 10 customers were without power on October 25th.  As Hurricane Sandy continued to move north of the Bahamas, strong northwest winds across the eastern Gulf of Mexico pushed higher-than-normal tides into Florida Bay, reaching up to 2.5 feet above mean sea level and causing flooding of docks and yards.  The tides remained high due to normally higher full moon spring tide through the early part of the following week.  No flood damage was reported.

Tropical Storm in MONROE/LOWER KEYS, FLORIDA
From 24-OCT-12 23:00:00 to 26-OCT-12 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Hurricane Sandy produced tropical storm force wind gusts in the Upper Florida Keys as it moved north through the central and northwest Bahamas.  Maximum sustained winds ranged from 25 to 40 mph from Ramrod Key through Key West, with peak gusts measured at 58 mph at Cudjoe Key and 45 mph at the Naval Air Station at Boca Chica.  No wind damage was reported.  As Hurricane Sandy continued to move north of the Bahamas, strong northwest winds across the eastern Gulf of Mexico pushed higher-than-normal tides into the nearshore waters along the Lower Keys, reaching up to 2.5 feet above mean sea level and causing flooding of secondary roads and low lying streets.  The tides remained high due to normally higher full moon spring tide through the early part of the following week.  Minor flood damage was reported.

Storm Surge/Tide in MONROE/UPPER KEYS, FLORIDA
From 26-OCT-12 10:30:00 to 31-OCT-12 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Storm Tide flooding began in the Upper Florida Keys as strong northwest winds around the periphery of Hurricane Sandy piled water into Florida Bay.  Tides remained high for about one week due to the approach of the full moon spring tide.  Tide levels reached up to 2.5 feet above mean sea level, causing flooding of streets along Florida Bay of 6 to 12 inches.  No damage was reported, however numerous residents in the Florida Bay communities from Mile marker 101 through 106 could not leave their homes.  Monroe County Transportation provided special shuttle service until waters receded.  No flood damage was reported.

Storm Surge/Tide in MONROE/LOWER KEYS, FLORIDA
From 26-OCT-12 22:30:00 to 31-OCT-12 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Storm tide flooding occurred as strong northwest winds around the periphery of Hurricane Sandy piled water along the north and west shores of the Lower Florida Keys. Flooding of secondary streets and private roads of 4 to 6 inches' depth was noted along the northern end of Big Pine Key, Sugarloaf Key and Key West.  Minor damage occurred when a spa pump at ground level was flooded on Big Pine Key.  Tides gradually receded by the early morning hours of October 31st.

Tropical Storm in MONROE/UPPER KEYS, FLORIDA
From 25-OCT-12 09:00:00 to 26-OCT-12 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Hurricane Sandy produced tropical storm force wind gusts in the Upper Florida Keys as it moved north through the central and northwest Bahamas.  Maximum sustained winds ranged from 25 to 32 mph from Key Largo through Upper Matecumbe Key, with peak gusts measured at 48 mph at Upper Matecumbe and 44 mph at Key Largo.  Very minor wind damage occurred, from isolated power outages due to tree limbs contacting power lines. Approximately 700 customers were without power on October 25th.  As Hurricane Sandy continued to move north of the Bahamas, strong northwest winds across the eastern Gulf of Mexico pushed higher-than-normal tides into Florida Bay, reaching up to 2.5 feet above mean sea level and causing flooding of secondary streets.  The tides remained high due to normally higher full moon spring tide through the early part of the following week.  No flood damage was reported.