Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Near-hurricane-force winds reported in Marathon Monday night downed two wooden power poles and damaged a restaurant, sending patrons running for cover.

The National Weather Service estimated the winds that blew through the Island Fish Co. in Marathon were close to 70 mph, about 5 mph less than a Category 1 hurricane, said Andy Devanas, a science and operations officer at the weather service's Key West office. The high wind gusts lasted less than five minutes.

"That is actually a long time for sustained winds," said Devanas, who surveyed the damage on Tuesday. "It was a pretty substantial storm. ... Basically, you had hurricane-strength sustained winds for three to five minutes."

The wind picked up a 150-pound picnic table at Island Fish Co. and threw it several feet and over the heads of some patrons, Devanas said. About 45 patrons at the restaurant's outside tiki bar were "running for cover," and ducking behind the bar, he added.

Marathon and Grassy Key received the brunt of the Monday night storm that blew through the Florida Keys. A 60 mph wind gust was recorded at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport shortly before 8 p.m., weather service Meteorologist Chris Jacobson said. In comparison, winds gusts peaked at 34 mph on Cudjoe Key and 28 mph in Key West, Jacobson said.

Hail the size of peas and marbles also was reported in Grassy Key, Devanas said. The winds pushed over two wooden power poles and toppled several large trees, Devanas said.

There was no major structural damage reported, and no one was injured. The most severe weather was reported from about 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., from Mile Marker 51 to 59, Devanas said.

tohara@keysnews.com