As day broke on Monday, authorities were only beginning to assess the damage Hurricane Irma’s brute force wrought on the delicate archipelago that makes up the Florida Keys.
But it became clear that one beloved tourist attraction had survived the storm unscathed: The colony of six-toed cats that resides at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum on Key West.
All 54 cats – and the 10 humans who hunkered down with them in the Spanish Colonial house that the late author called home in the 1930s – rode out the gusts with aplomb, curator David Gonzalez told MSNBC Sunday night, after the worst of the storm had passed.
“The cats are accustomed to our voices and our care. We love them, they love us. We all hung out together,” said Gonzalez, who added that the building’s limestone-block walls had not only provided a sort of fortress from the elements but also kept the place nice and cool. “It’s a very comfortable place for the cats, very comfortable place for our employees.”
Outside the grounds of the 19th-century building, which sits 16 feet above sea-level – making it a high point on the island – Irma’s effects remain to be tallied. But the Miami Herald reported that the damage to Key West, a tourist destination and end-of-the-road hideaway, appeared to be less severe than feared. “It’s just trees and foliage and cars,” one resident told the paper.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
A woman leaves her flooded home the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region with localized flooding.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
A family leaves their flooded home in a rural area the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region with extensive flooding.
Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty Images
A man paddles through a flooded neighborhood in Bonita Springs, Florida, northeast of Naples, on Sept. 11, 2017 after Hurricane Irma hit Florida.
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Jizreel Plancher calls out from the back of a truck to see if people need help the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region with localized flooding.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
A couple walk through the flooded streets the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region with localized flooding.
Will Dickey/The Florida Times-Union via AP
An Urban Flood Water Rescue Team with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department makes its way along a flooded street on the Southbank of downtown as Hurricane Irma passes by Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
An electrical worker repairs stop lights the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region with localized flooding.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
The roof of a gas station is shown damaged by Hurricane Irma winds on Sept. 11, 2017 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Yesterday Hurricane Irma hit Florida's west coast leaving widespread damage and flooding.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
People wait in line for a store to open for food and water the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region with localized flooding.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Hotel guests are served breakfast by lamplight as the power remains off at the Courtyard by Marriott one day after Hurricane Irma struck the state Sept. 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Irma made landfall as a Category 4 storm twice in the United States on Sunday after tearing a path across islands in the Caribbean Sea.
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Road crews clear debris after Hurricane Irma passed through on Sept. 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it moved up the coast.
Brian Blanco, Getty Images
A large tree is seen laying in the front yard of a home after high winds from Hurricane Irma came through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Fort Meade, Florida. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. yesterday, after raking across the north coast of Cuba.
Will Dickey/The Florida Times-Union via AP, The Associated Press
Urban Flood Water Rescue Team 2, with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, makes its way along San Marco Boulevard on the Southbank of downtown as Hurricane Irma passes by Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
A boat is seen washed ashore at the Dinner Key marina after Hurricane Irma passed through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it moved up the coast.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
A home is shown damaged after Hurricane Irma hit the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in East Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it moved up the coast.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
The Sunrise Motel remains flooded after Hurricane Irma hit the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in East Naples, Florida. Yesterday Hurricane Irma hit Florida's west coast leaving widespread damage and flooding.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
A teen walks through flooded streets the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region with localized flooding.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Philippa Regueira returns home through a street littered with downed trees and branches after seeking shelter in a friend's home after Hurricane Irma passed through the area on Sept. 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Florida took a direct hit from the Hurricane.
David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP
The Interstate remains empty as the outer bands of Hurricane Irma reached South Florida early Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Miami.
Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
The winds and sea are whipped up off of the Rickenbacker Causeway as two people cross the street in Miami as Hurricane Irma approaches on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
A car sits abandoned in storm surge along North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state Sept. 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The powerful hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
A person walks through a flooded street in the Brickell area of downtown as Hurricane Irma passes through on Sept. 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it moves up the coast.
Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images
Heavy winds and rain from Hurricane Irma are seen in Miami, Florida on Sept. 10, 2017. Hurricane Irma's eyewall slammed into the lower Florida Keys, lashing the island chain with fearsome wind gusts, the US National Hurricane Center said.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier Sept. 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
A boat is washed on shore at the Watson Island marina as Hurricane Irma passed through the area on Sept. 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Hurricane Irma, which first made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, has weakened to a Category 2 as it moves up the coast.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
A car sits abandoned in storm surge along North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The powerful hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba.
Brian Blanco, Getty Images
Residents inspect the extreme receding water in Tampa Bay ahead of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 10, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it moves up the coast.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Broken tree branches block roads in the Coral Beach neighborhood as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The powerful hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba.
Michele Eve, AFP/Getty Images
A fallen tree crashes atop a row of cars on Sept. 10, 2017 Miami, Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Hurricane Irma's eyewall slammed into the lower Florida Keys, lashing the island chain with fearsome wind gusts, the US National Hurricane Center said.
Gerald Herbert, The Associated Press
Evacuees stand in line to enter the Germain Arena, which is being used as a shelter, in advance of Hurricane Irma, in Estero, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Jim Rassol /South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
A young girl and her family seek shelter from Hurricane Irma at the West Boynton Park and Recreation Center in Boynton, Beach, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated Press
Hector Padron carries his mattress as evacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated Press
Evacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
David Goldman, The Associated Press
Evacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Jim Rassol, South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
People seek shelter from Irma with their pets at the West Boynton Park and Recreation Center in preparation for Hurricane Irma in Boynton, Beach, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images
Hundreds of people gather in an emergency shelter at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center in Miami, Florida, Sept. 8, 2017, ahead of Hurricane Irma.
Florida Governor Rick Scott warned that all of the state's 20 million inhabitants should be prepared to evacuate as Hurricane Irma bears down for a direct hit on the southern US state.
Chris O'Meara, The Associated Press
Ramsey Abdelkader, right, helps Sherri Skala, left, and Jennifer Morales fill sand bags to help protect their restaurant Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Business and residents were under a mandatory evacuation order as Hurricane Irma continued to churn towards Florida.
Lara Cerri, Tampa Bay Times via AP
Joseph, Jr., right, 15, of St. Petersburg, bends down to carry sandbags to his family's vehicle at Lealman Community Park, in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, as residents prepare for Hurricane Irma.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
People line up to get their propane tanks filled as they prepare for Hurricane Irma on Sept. 5, 2017 in Miami, Florida. It's still too early to know where the direct impact of the hurricane will take place but the state of Florida is in the area of possible landfall.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via The Associated Press
Drivers wait in line for gasoline in Altamonte Springs, Fla., ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irma, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Irma roared into the Caribbean with record force early Wednesday, its 185-mph winds shaking homes and flooding buildings on a chain of small islands along a path toward Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hispaniola and a possible direct hit on densely populated South Florida.
NASA/NOAA GOES Project via Getty Images
In this NASA/NOAA handout image taken at 11:45 a.m. Friday, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean Sea, Tropical Storm Jose in the Atlantic Ocean and Tropical Storm Katia in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hemingway’s cats, as they are known, lounge in calmer times around the museum’s lush gardens or snooze on the indoor furniture as visitors stroll by. They can be found sleeping under the shade of tropical plants, hiding in custom kitty structures, stretched by the swimming pool or cooling off amid the Art Deco tiles of the bathroom.
Some of the cats descended from Snow White, a six-toed white feline given to Hemingway by a ship’s captain, according to the museum. Cats typically have five digits on their front paws and four on the rear.
Although they are commonly known as six-toed cats, not every one of the Hemingway felines has six toes, but the museum says all carry the polydactyl gene. Those with the additional toe look a bit like they are wearing baseball gloves – or at least like they could handily swat you across the face.
Their fate as Irma approached was the subject of much angst among their many fans. Had the current group of kitties not made it, they probably would have been added to the cat cemeteries in the museum’s garden. The burial spots are marked with concrete gravestones crudely etched with the names of now-deceased felines, some named for celebrities: Willard Scott, who died at age 12 in 1988; Kim Novak, who was 22 when she passed in 1997; and Gremlin (1986-2005).
But before the storm hit, Gonzalez and other employees rounded up the cats to ensure their safety. Some, he told MSNBC, “actually ran inside knowing it was time to take shelter. Sometimes I think they’re smarter than the human beings.”
On Thursday, after Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic church in Key West, Father John Baker blessed the house, the Hemingway Home staff and the cats. Gonzalez told our correspondent, Francisco Alvarado, that he felt sure no cat would lose any of its nine lives.
“I have been watching the news, and people keep talking about how low-lying the keys are,” Gonzales said. “We are not in a flood zone. This is an 18-inch block-limestone building that has been here since 1851 and is still standing.”
He added, “We answer to a higher authority, and we feel very confident the outcome for us is going to be very good.”
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