KEY LARGO, Fla. – Dillon Deese was on his couch watching a movie when the tempestuous wind ripped a massive Bayan tree out of the ground and crushed his home with it. Tropical Storm Eta’s torrential rain didn’t stop Alex Lubja and Deese’s other Key Largo neighbors from running outside of their homes to investigate the loud noise. An advertising billboard lies on the ground after falling from high winds and rain from Tropical Storm Eta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, in Key Largo, Fla. In other parts of Key Largo, there were streets underwater and more property damage. Tree limbs block a road after they broke and fell due to high winds and rain from Tropical Storm Eta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, in Key Largo, Fla.

KEY WEST, Fla. – The Florida Keys is under a state of local emergency. Monroe County officials told Local 10 they are expecting as many as 15-inches of rain, along with tropical storm force winds. As Tropical Storm Eta aims for the Florida Keys, heavy rain has started to fill the streets of Key West. "Trying to get everything buttoned down for it.”“We’re expecting a strong tropical storm, potentially a Category 1 hurricane,” Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers said. County officials are encouraging residents living in mobile homes and aboard vessels to evacuate by 5 p.m. on Sunday.

MIAMI – A downward trend in coronavirus cases has South Florida preparing for Phase 2 of reopening. Some businesses will remain closed though, as the region is still keeping some precautions in place. One of the biggest impacts will be paving the way for schools to start in-person teaching in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. “Next week, we’re going into a special board meeting where these matters will be discussed,” Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he would release more details about what exactly can reopen on Monday, but there was one thing he wanted to make clear.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Rep. Donna Shalala, Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers and attorneys Raquel Rodriguez and Chris Smith join This Week in South Florida. The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The Florida Keys took a beating when Tropical Storm Sally passed over the island chain. That comes as the Keys have already been dealing with extremely tough times over the past six months, as their tourist-driven economy has taken a major hit thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Monroe County makes health and safety decisions independent from neighboring South Florida counties, and will again next week as it lifts some COVID-related restrictions. Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers was on the opposing end of a close 3-2 commission vote that lifted those restrictions. She joined Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg on This Week in South Florida to discuss, and the conversation can be seen at the top of this page.

KEY WEST, Fla. There was some decently rough surf Monday morning off the southernmost point in Key West, but nothing too bad in terms of weather just yet. Margol did see a few places boarding up Sunday as a precaution, but with Laura continuing to stay to the south, most people have not been too concerned. That being said, Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers said the Keys will experience some effects from Laura. County officials expect to see some localized flooding and tropical storm forced wind gusts along with some squally weather. The mayor said people should stay inside throughout the day just to be safe.

KEY LARGO, Fla. – There are major COVID-19 concerns from a lot of people who live in the Florida Keys, and as the numbers continue to rise, Monroe County is trying to figure out what the next move should be. Just one day after the checkpoints came down, the entire county only had 109 cases of COVID-19. And now lobster mini season is approaching quickly, bringing with it the promise of a massive influx of visitors. So far, the FWC says they are moving forward with the mini season as planned. Monroe County has asked residents not to call 911 to ask about the status of lobster mini season, urging them to check monroecountyem.com/covid19 and the county’s Facebook page for updates.

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – It should go without saying, but the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents and visitors not to call 911 with questions regarding the status of lobster mini season. Adam Linhardt, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said in an email Monday that authorities feel the need to remind the public that 911 is for emergencies only, as they have seen an increase in 911 calls from people wanting to check the status of lobster mini season due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The Sheriff’s Office (and) Monroe County officials cannot decide to stop mini season, only officials in Tallahassee can make that decision,” Linhardt said. Lobster mini season runs from July 29 to July 30. Monroe County residents and visitors can find the latest updates from the county via its website.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. This week ended in Monroe County with a record number of COVID-19 cases in the Florida Keys. The upward trend began when Monroe County lifted the two check-stops at the top of the Keys, allowing only residents and workers. Now, the Monroe County Commission will impose a new curfew, calling for restaurants to close at 11 p.m. while bars have already been ordered shut. Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers joined Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg on This Week in South Florida and their full conversation can be seen at the top of this page.

MIAMI, Fla. South Florida continues to be a hotspot in the coronavirus pandemic that's surging in the United States. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimnez talked to a national audience on Sunday on ABCs Good Morning America, speaking about the new $100 civil penalty for breaking county mask and social distancing rules. Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Freddy Ramrez, speaking on Local 10s This Week In South Florida, said about 115 citations were issued and now that it is a civil citation and not a criminal offense, enforcement is more in line with the crime. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo, who is running to unseat Gimenez as the countys mayor, blames local case rises on young adults. Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers, said: "We are trying to do everything we can to limit the chance to gather in groups when one's inhibitions may be down."

KEY LARGO, Fla. – Bars in Monroe County had re-opened recently after a shutdown on March 17 because of COVID-19. Key Largo’s historic and family-run Caribbean Club owners were stunned by the short tweet from FDBPA issued Friday. We want to do what is right for our community, but it would have been nice to have heads up. In Monroe County, COVID-19 cases have nearly doubled since opening to visitors on June 1. Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers explained that they do not have the same hospital capacity as bigger counties like Miami-Dade and Broward.

Still, Mayor Heather Carruthers is keeping the Florida Keys closed to customers. The checkpoints at mile marker 112.5 on U.S. 1 and State Road 905 will remain in place and screenings will continue at Key West International and Marathon Florida Keys airports. In Monroe County, some re-opening of restaurants and non-essential businesses are for locals only, and that includes the city of Key West. As of April 30, Monroe County had 79 coronavirus cases and 3 deaths, according to the Florida Department of Health. Florida coronavirus map lists cases by zip codeHow full are the hospital beds in South Florida?

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – Drivers heading from South Florida to the Florida Keys face two Monroe County Sheriff’s Office checkpoints during the coronavirus pandemic. Monroe County issued an emergency declaration closing the area to all tourists on March 20, but the lack of compliance prompted Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers to tighten measures. “And we are going to still say, ‘Come as you are!' Deputies started to screen drivers heading southbound on Friday morning at Manatee Bay Marina on U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 112.5 and at Card Sound Road, also known as State Road 905. Deputies are only allowing drivers who can prove they have essential business in Monroe County or live there permanently.

KEY LARGO, Fla. – Residents of the Stillwright community in Key Largo dressed in red as they addressed Monroe County commissioners Tuesday in a plea to protect not just their neighborhood, but also their livelihood. As the water receded, commissioners and climate experts convened at the 11th Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit in Key West last week, where the long-term outlook took a dire tone. “Probably not.”Residents decided to fight back, and Tuesday marked a small victory, as commissioners approved a measure to accelerate the timeline to complete a climate study by engineers by almost one year. Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers laid out the clear steps to move from study to execution. I hope we can do that pretty quickly.”Carruthers also said officials were also working with the Army Corps of Engineers to address concerns throughout all of Monroe County.