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Power outages, flood warnings in Isaac’s wake; Gulf Coast in the crosshairs

 

Isaac caused power outages across South Florida on Monday, and now looms as a potential disaster for the Gulf Coast.

dchang@MiamiHerald.com

“Our risk right now is the Panhandle,’’ he told Florida delegates at the group’s breakfast meeting on Monday at Innisbrook Resort and Spa in Palm Harbor near Tampa. “It is drenched already.”

In Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, life on the remote U.S. Navy base resumed its routine Monday.

All 168 captives were back in their usual surroundings, the detention center spokesman said, referring to an array of five prison camps, the detention center hospital and psych ward. Before Isaac swerved north and away from the base, the detention center moved to hurricane-proof building those detainees and troops who are usually housed in sea-front lockups and trailer parks.

Damage to the crude war court compound overlooking Guantanamo bay and the sprawling prison camps complex overlooking the Caribbean was “minimal,” said the spokesman, Navy Capt. Robert Durand. Troops found “pools of water on roadways, minor leaks and seepage but no major storm damage.’’

“We are back to routine operations,’’ he said midday Monday by email.

Beaches were still closed Monday across the 45-square-mile Navy base because of rough seas.

But the base social director announced on Facebook that there would be Bingo at a hall adjacent to the Irish pub on Tuesday night. Monday night’s free-of-charge movie for troops and their families was That’s My Boy — the Adam Sandler R-rated comedy showing at the outdoor Lyceum drive-up cinema.

As Isaac makes its way up the Gulf on Monday, South Florida is slowly returning to a sense of normalcy, though in fits and starts.

About 150 flights have been canceled and 42 have been delayed at Miami International Airport as of 10 a.m., mostly from American Airlines and its sister carrier, American Eagle.

Greg Chin, an MIA spokesman, said Monday’s cancellations were a result of Sunday’s weather, which caused MIA’s largest carrier to cancel more than 500 flights.

“They can’t go from 500 flights canceled to 100 percent operations the next day,’’ he said. “They’re gradually bringing aircraft back.’’

Community Blood Centers of Florida reported that Isaac had impacted blood collections, forcing the nonprofit group to close its doors Sunday. Most Community Blood Centers reopened today — except for those in the Keys — and the agency issued a call for donations of all blood types, especially Rh negative.

Courthouses were closed throughout the region Monday. Public schools, Catholic schools and many college and university campuses were closed in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, though most were expected to reopen Tuesday.

“We’re very confident tomorrow will be a regular school day,’’ said Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of Miami-Dade Schools.

But many county and municipal services will resume today, including public transportation and garbage collection.

Miami-Dade government offices will remain closed, but public buses returned to service on most routes, with some delayed because of storm debris.

Metromover and Metrorail also have resumed after inspectors examined tracks for debris and other obstacles.

Broward government agencies, including parks, libraries and public transportation will be open for service today. Garbage pick-up for most Broward cities and unincorporated areas also will be on a normal schedule.

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