Hurricane Irma: No Entry To Key Biscayne

KEY BISCAYNE, FL — With an estimated 95 percent of the village's 13,000 residents already evacuated, Key Biscayne officials said on Saturday that they were barring anyone from entering the village. All motor vehicle traffic enters and exits the village through Rickenbacker Causeway.

With some of the most expensive real estate in the Miami area just a few miles from downtown Miami, people who live on the Village of Key Biscayne were told to leave behind their multi-million dollar homes and condominiums prior to this weekend's anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irma.

Village officials said on Friday that they would not be going door to door once the storm hits.

"EVACUATE!!! The risks to your life and lives of loved ones are too great to stay on the island," Key Biscayne officials said ahead of the storm. "If Hurricane Irma arrives in South Florida as a Category 4 storm, our island will experience high winds, higher gusts, rain and a storm surge. Police and fire personnel will not go door to door to check on residents who refuse to leave their homes."

With only one way in and out of Key Biscayne, village officials said that emergency personnel and vehicles will be forced to evacuate themselves when it is still safe to do so before the storm hits. The village is connected to mainland Miami via Rickenbacker Causeway.

Key Biscayne is home to the Miami area's Crandon Park and Seaquarium. It also hosts the annual Miami Open tennis tournament. The iconic Rusty Pelican Restaurant is also located along Rickenbacker Causeway.

Photo courtesy village of Key Biscayne