African Queen · Photo: Elmschrat · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Key Largo than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Key Largo gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #621 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then coastal flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 680 claims here since 1984.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Key Largo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Key Largo faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Key Largo’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Key Largo, and Key Largo’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #621 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Key Largo’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Key Largo has more expected damage per building than 97% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.0M a year in losses across Key Largo: $14.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Key Largo flood? Yes: 680 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Key Largo, from FEMA’s records: 77.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma293 claims · $13.0M
- Hurricane Wilma213 claims · $4.3M
- Hurricane Irene64 claims · $429K
Key Largo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Key Largo
Disasters that paid out in Key Largo itself (aid to households or repair grants to Key Largo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian141 households applied for aid$146K aid approved10 flood claims paid for it, $163K
- 2017Hurricane Irma5,327 households applied for aid$7.9M aid approved293 flood claims paid for it, $13.0M
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1,023 households applied for aid$885K aid approved213 flood claims paid for it, $4.3M
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley34 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Monroe County has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Monroe County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Key Largo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Key Largo archive →Key Largo and its neighbors
Key Largo is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tavernier | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 235 |
| Key Largo | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 680 |
| North Key Largo | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 135 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Key Largo faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Key Largo
Is Key Largo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Key Largo has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #621 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and coastal flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Key Largo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 680 claims in Key Largo since 1984, $19.2M in all, or 77.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (293).
Is Key Largo in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Monroe County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 58.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Key Largo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Key Largo’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Key Largo?
By FEMA money that reached Key Largo, Hurricane Irma (2017): 5,327 households applied for aid, $7.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 293 paid, $13.0M.
Is Key Largo at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Key Largo’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Key Largo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Key Largo’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.