Update on the status of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

October 2017

Announcements

ESF 10 News Releases

09/29/2017 Unified Command begins removal process for vessels displaced by Hurricane Irma

09/27/2017 Best practices for removal of vessels

09/27/2017 Emergency Support Function 10 Release

Sanctuary Superintendent Statements

10/11/2017 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary begins work with partners to identify areas of the Florida coral reef tract damaged by Hurricane Irma

09/26/2017 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary assesses impact of Hurricane Irma

09/14/2017 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary offices closed due to Hurricane Irma

09/08/2017 Hurricane Irma poses significant threat to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Community Announcements

10/06/2017 Civil Air Patrol assists in locating buoys in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

10/06/2017 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary enlists public's help in post-hurricane survey

09/26/2017 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary seeks lost buoys after hurricane

09/26/2017 Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center reopens following Hurricane Irma

Vessel assessments, pollution mitigation in the wake of Hurricane Irma

mostly submerged in Marathon — A boat is discovered mostly submerged in Marathon, Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Sept. 16, 2017. Hundreds of vessels have been reported damaged or have sunk as a result of Hurricane Irma's force. Teams consisting of federal and state response members are assessing the potential risk of pollution from these vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Members of a Coast Guard Hazardous Materials Assessment Team look for potential threats — Members of a Coast Guard Hazardous Materials Assessment Team look for potential threats to the environment presented by damaged boats in Key West, Florida, in the wake of Hurricane Irma, Sept. 16, 2017. Hundreds of vessels have been reported damaged or have sunk around the Floridian coast as a result of Hurricane Irma's force. Teams consisting of federal and state response members are assessing the potential risk of pollution from these vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

satellite image displays vessels damaged and sunken in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Marathon Key — A satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration displays vessels damaged and sunken in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Marathon Key, Florida, Sept. 16, 2017. Hundreds of vessels have been reported damaged or have sunk as a result of Hurricane Irma's force. Teams consisting of federal and state response members are assessing the potential risk of pollution from these vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

A debris-filled waterway in Key West — A debris-filled waterway in Key West, Florida demonstrates the destructive power of Hurricane Irma, Sept. 17, 2017. Hundreds of vessels have been reported damaged or have sunk as a result of Hurricane Irma's force. Teams consisting of federal and state response members are assessing the potential risk of pollution from these vessels. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Hurricane Irma Aerial Images

aerial imagery of before and after hurricane irma — A team of NOAA aviators have been taking aerial imagery of locations affected by Hurricane Irma. The images are a crucial tool in determining the extent of the damage inflicted by storms and flooding.

Additional flights are scheduled and photos from those missions will be posted as soon as possible.

Aerial images available at: https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/irma/index.html

Sand Disturbed by the Passing of Hurricane Irma

before (top) and after (bottom) photo of sediment movement in florida after hurricane irma — Hurricane Irma didn't just impact land. As seen in these before-and-after true-color images captured by the VIIRS instrument on the NOAA/NASA Suomi NPP satellite September 7, 2017 (top) and September 11 (bottom), the storm altered the distribution of sand around the coast of Florida. The light blue color shows sediment suspended in the water, kicked up by the intensity of the storm. Image: NOAA/NASA

Larger version available at: https://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail2.php?MediaID=2101&MediaTypeID=1

Additional Information

Hurricanes: Friend or foe to coral reefs?