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Marathon Evades Damage From T.S. Storm

MARATHON (CBS4) – Tropical Storm Isaac splashed and slammed the Florida Keys but appears to have left little damage in his wake, especially in Marathon.

"This has been kind of not a hurricane but it's been a wakeup call and everyone I think was prepared," said 40-year Marathon resident Dennis Bishop to CBS4's David Sutta.

After residents boarded up, they braced for the worst.

As high tide approached late Sunday evening, the one to three foot storm surge moved in. In Marathon though, it never really crested. Residents stepped out to survey the damage to find relief they escaped.

"I thought it was going to be a little more intense than it was," said Marathon resident Sherri.

In total about 115 people living on boats and in mobile homes took refuge in shelters.

"I'm surprised that there are not more people. I don't know what they are doing but a lot of people must be staying on their boats. Which isn't a great idea," said David Nicholson who stayed in a shelter.

Isaac was more entertainment than storm for many as many people drifted outdoors during the storm curious what all the fuss was about.

When asked when he walked outside in the middle of the intense rain and whipping winds, Deon Watson replied, "Well you know, life is short."

Luckily Isaac's track and size proved to be scarier than his intensity. After hours of watching the storm Mike Savinelli had enough and was the first to open up his Marathon restaurant, appropriately named, The Hurricane.

"I waited for the five o'clock advisory. I saw the storm was going to go by. So I decided. I got down here about six and they were five minutes behind me. Everybody. They've been in the house all day. They are stir crazy," said Savinelli.

Everyone was relieved to have survived the storm that wasn't.

"You know it could go either way. It could go North. It could go South. It went further West. And it was good for us in the Keys," said a relieved Bishop.

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