KEY WEST, Fla. – As Hurricane Milton approaches, life in the Florida Keys is on hold for many, especially those who rely on the waters for their livelihood.
Charter boat operations are being suspended, and residents living on houseboats are bracing for the storm, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
Walter Kirchner, owner of Conch Charters in Key West, has been through this before.
Standing among the docked boats, he pointed to each vessel with the weight of knowing how much is at stake.
“Every one of these signs is our boats,” Kirchner said. “We’ve had it happen before that the storms seem like they’re coming our way.”
For the next few days, no charter operations will take place.
While the boats are tied up, Kirchner says the job of a boat captain never really stops. Preparing for a storm like this means securing everything and hoping nothing goes wrong.
“We’ll lose everything if we lose the boats,” Kirchner said. “No boats, no money.”
3 p.m. report:
A Gamble on the Water
For those who live on the water, like houseboat residents, Joe Laino and Jaime, the stakes are even higher. Living on a boat during hurricane season means facing constant uncertainty, and yet, many choose to stay.
As Jaime walked the docks, he pointed out damage still visible from Hurricane Irma, which ravaged the area in 2017.
“You can see that’s from Irma,” he said, gesturing to a section of weathered dock. “It’s a gamble every time.”
The potential for history to repeat itself looms large with every storm that approaches.
“I’ve been through seven of them with this boat now,” Laino said, reflecting on the resilience needed to live this kind of life.
While they acknowledge the risks, they see no other option but to prepare and ride out the storm.
Laino noted that while the location offers some protection, the threat of water damage remains a real concern.
“Here you’ve got a little protection… but you still get the water,” he said.
With Hurricane Milton threatening storm surges and flooding, the residents on houseboats know they are in for a difficult few days.
Quiet Nights on the Pier
Meanwhile, at one of Key West’s most iconic spots, the Sunset Pier near Mallory Square, the usual scene of tourists sipping cocktails while watching the sun dip below the horizon was starkly different. Crews busily packed away tables and chairs, preparing for the storm’s arrival.
Mary Bifulco, a Key West resident who frequents the pier, described the nervous energy that always comes before a hurricane.
“It’s always unnerving because you never know,” she said. “It could veer off and come at us… all you can do is prepare.”
The atmosphere across the island is one of cautious preparation. Businesses have boarded up windows, and the streets, typically bustling with tourists, are noticeably quieter as Hurricane Milton edges closer.
Rental Jet skis have been moved off the floating docks as the streets begin to clear out.
As Hurricane Milton nears, the people of Key West are bracing themselves for whatever the storm brings—knowing that no matter the outcome, they will need to rely on their resilience and the tight-knit community around them to weather the storm.
Read this story in Spanish by clicking here.
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