🌀 Hurricane Readiness Profile · Updated Jul 2026

Key West Hurricane Readiness

Wind zone, flood and surge exposure, evacuation, insurance baseline, and the local pros to call before — and after — a named storm hits Key West, Monroe.

Design wind speed
180 mph
180 mph + open-ocean exposure — strictest envelope in the US
Max storm surge
Category 5
SLOSH-modeled worst case
High-risk flood
95%
of city land in FEMA AE/VE zones
Avg wind premium
$7,800
2026 typical annual policy

🚨 Evacuation

Mandatory island-wide evacuation for Cat 3+ via US-1

Monroe Emergency Management: 305-289-6018

⚠️ Top threats for Key West

  • Direct major-hurricane exposure (Irma 2017 Cat 4)
  • Sole-route US-1 evacuation gridlock
  • Salt-air corrosion + insurance scarcity

Notable storms in Key West history

  • Hurricane Irma 2017 (Cat 4 lower Keys landfall)
  • Hurricane Wilma 2005

🛠 Prep window (May 1 – June 1)

  1. Schedule a wind-mitigation inspection — discount renews every 5 years.
  2. Test and deploy hurricane shutters; lubricate tracks.
  3. Service generator + stock 7-10 days of stabilized fuel.
  4. Trim trees and palm fronds away from roof and power lines.
  5. Photograph home interior + exterior for insurance baseline.
  6. Confirm flood insurance is active (30-day waiting period).

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Shutters, roof inspection, generator install, wind-mitigation cert, or tree trimming — tell us what you need and we'll connect you with 1–3 vetted Key West contractors. No lead-spam. We don't sell your contact info.

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