After Hurricane Irma struck the Keys on September 10, 2017, local officials announced the island chain would reopen to visitors on Sunday, October 1. Key Largo and Key West saw the least impact from the Category 4 storm, though not every hotel, RV resort or attraction was back to normal — visitors were advised to call ahead.
Recovery was ongoing, especially in the Lower Keys and parts of Marathon, with motorists asked to stay off side roads to avoid hindering cleanup crews clearing debris. By the reopening date, power and water were largely restored from Key Largo through Marathon, Stock Island and Key West, bridges on the Overseas Highway had passed inspection, and hospitals in the Upper Keys and Key West were open again.
"We know we have a long way to go before the Keys fully recover," said Monroe County Mayor George Neugent, "but because tourism is our top economic engine... we need to begin asking visitors to return." Key West International Airport, Marathon's airport, and the Port of Key West all resumed operations around the same time.