Hurricane Irma: Nearly Half Of Coral Gables Without Power

CORAL GABLES, FL — Four days after Hurricane Irma tore through the Miami area, nearly half of Coral Gables was still without power on Thursday. City officials counted 256 structures that suffered damaged in the storm. Officials said that most of the damage occurred to roofs.

Officials said that approximately 45 percent of the city was without power as of Thursday. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Coral Gables Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"FPL is responsible for clearing up downed power lines that fell on city trees," according to Coral Gables officials. "They are providing two special response crews to remove the power lines in large city trees in 12 identified city locations."

Watch: Hurricane Irma's Destructive Journey By The Numbers

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Garbage collection for city residents resumed on Thursday. Residents whose trash is picked up on Monday and Thursday had their first collection on Thursday. Residents with Tuesday and Friday collections were to have their first trash pickup on Friday.

"City streets are now passable within the asphalt area, unless there are power lines in the trees," according to city officials.

"The city has requested special response teams from either FPL or through Miami-Dade County's EOC to address large trees with downed power lines," officials added.

More than 1300 people road the Ponce Blvd. trolley on Wednesday. The Grand Avenue loop has also resumed operations with a slightly modified route. For details, call 305-460-5070.

City officials also reported that the Coral Gables Fire Department responded to 73 calls in a 24-hour period ending Thursday. Most of the calls were related to Hurricane Irma. They ranged from arcing wires, smoke in building and building fires.

"They are experiencing an increase in medical-related emergency calls," officials said. Coral Gables police responded to a report of tools being taken from a building around the McFarlane Homestead area, and a residential burglary through a garage door in south Coral Gables.

"Safety at home: Remember that most hurricane-related accidents occur after the storm," city officials cautioned residents. "Exercise caution while working around your home. Watch out for unstable trees or sections of any building."

The following high-rise buildings had full power as of Thursday:

• 911 East Ponce
• 1607 Ponce
• 1805 Ponce
• 10 Aragon Ave
• 55 Merrick Way
• 888 Douglas Rd
• 100 Andalusia
• 66 Valencia
• 101 Sidonia
• 700 Biltmore
• 600 Biltmore
• 10 Edgewater

60 Edgewater

The following buildings were operating on emergency power as of Thursday.

• 50 Minora
• 600 Coral Way
• 626 Coral Way
• 721 Biltmore
• 441 Valencia

Coral Gables also reported the following:

• Two reported crashes yesterday (no injuries) at Red & Venetia, Bird & Ponce;
• One reported crash this morning (no injuries) at 900 block of S. Dixie Hwy.;
• Three major intersections back on line and working: Bird & Ponce, Bird & LeJeune, Douglas & SW 8 Street (we continue to monitor);
• Seven portable light towers were deployed overnight to increase visibility and safety;
• The downed electrical wire on Bird Road has been repaired. Westbound lanes are now open.

F EMA Assistance
Coral Gables residents affected by Hurricane Irma can contact FEMA Assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, the the FEMA app or 800-621-3362.

Services

• Salvadore Tennis has power and staff is working on having 8 clay courts available starting tomorrow. Facility will be staffed starting tomorrow 9/15/17 between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. with regular operations;
• Biltmore Tennis: has power and 6 hard courts are available. Courts are open on first-come, first-served starting today for free. Facility will be staffed starting tomorrow 9/15/17 between 7 a.m.-1 p.m. with regular operations;
• Adult Activity Center: Available for senior citizens without electricity from 9-5 p.m. through Friday for movies, board games, cold water & AC.;
• Granada Golf Maintenance has partial power and unable to irrigate greens. Course is open for walkers and golfers, with cash only;
• Phillips Park & playground is open for use;
• Kerdyk Family Park is open for use;
• Salvadore Park playground is open for use;
• Jaycee Park is open for use starting tomorrow 9/14/17;
• War Memorial Youth Center is closed until further notice;
• Venetian Pool is closed until further notice;
• Coral Bay Park is closed until further notice;
• The Coral Gables Branch Library has no electricity and remains closed at this time. They will be opening as soon as power is restored;
• Miami-Dade county offices are closed until Monday, September 18.

Photo by Sean Patrick Perez courtesy city of Coral Gables