Hurricane Preparation for the Florida Keys

When we first drove from Miami to the Florida Keys, we were amazed at the tropical beauty of this string of mini islands. The water is beautiful, the sky is everywhere colorful and of course there is nothing like watching the sunset off Key West. But somewhere in our observations a little subtle thought kept coming to the surface. What can it be like here when a major hurricane is brewing in the Caribbean and is blowing directly towards the Key West? How do people prepare? Even for visitors like us it was important to be aware of hurricane preparation for the Florida Keys, Florida.

The Unique Topography of the Florida Keys. There are few places in the lower 48 United States that are any more vulnerable to the thrust of a major hurricane than Key West and the Florida Keys. All of the islands that make up this scenic chain of islands have little elevation to their name. Most sit either at sea level or just a little above sea level. This is fine when the waves are rolling gently ashore and the winds are gusting at 15 miles an hour. But when hurricane force winds, rain and storm surges arrive the islands are facing potential disaster. Working to prepare Key West and the Florida Keys from something near to cataclysmic results is the office of the Monroe County Sheriff.

Help from the Monroe County Sheriff . From the Sheriffs Office in Monroe County one can receive a variety of helpful tools. First the county office has available many different flyers and brochures from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA ) which provide updated information about what residents and guests of Keys West and the rest of the Keys should do in the event of an approaching hurricane. Keeping these pamphlets on hand in your home may make all the difference in taking the best steps to maintain your safety and security in the eventuality of a hurricane.