Monroe County encompasses the Florida Keys — a 125-mile chain of islands with only one road in and out. This makes it the most difficult county to evacuate in the United States. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Keys as a Category 4 in 2017, devastating Cudjoe Key and the lower Keys. Sea level rise threatens to make portions of the Keys uninhabitable within decades.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 10 / 10 Critical Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Storm Surge |
| Secondary Hazard | Sea Level Rise |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone VE (Critical Risk) |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 72 |
| Last Major Event | Hurricane Irma (2017) |
| Event Frequency | Major event every 3–4 years |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (305) 289-6325 |
| Emergency Shelters | 8 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-1 North (only evacuation route) |
// County Profile
| County | Monroe County FL |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Population | 82,874 |
| Area | 997 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Zone VE (Critical Risk) |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Florida Counties
Miami-Dade County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Pinellas County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Bay County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Lee County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Charlotte County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Broward County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
8/10
High