Key West, Florida: natural disaster risk
How exposed Key West is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Monroe County.
Key West is a city of 25,720 people in Monroe County, Florida. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Monroe County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are hurricane, coastal flooding and inland flooding, with about $93.3 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 565 storm reports in the county since 1953, including 78 tornadoes and 26 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 37 hurricanes and 31 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 16 of them major. About 58.2% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Monroe County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Key West
Full Monroe County report ›- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
- Learn your evacuation zone; it is set by surge risk, not by distance from the beach.
- Ask about flood insurance even outside a mapped high-risk zone.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | $65M | |
| Coastal flooding | $21M | |
| Inland flooding | $5M | |
| Lightning | $906K | |
| Heat wave | $668K | |
| Tornado | $338K | |
| Strong wind | $284K | |
| Wildfire | $85K | |
| Hail | $52K | |
| Cold wave | $6K | |
| Earthquake | $5K | |
| Landslide | $81 |
Homes in Key West
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Monroe County
Common questions about Key West
Is Key West safe from natural disasters?
Key West is in Monroe County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are hurricane, coastal flooding, inland flooding. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Key West?
By expected yearly losses in Monroe County, the top hazards are hurricane (High), coastal flooding (Very High), inland flooding (Low). Monroe County has been part of 44 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Key West get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 78 tornadoes in Monroe County since 1950; the strongest was an F2 tornado on November 4, 1998 near Key Largo. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county very low.
Do I need flood insurance in Key West?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Monroe County, about 58.2% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates coastal flooding risk very high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.