Photo: Radomianin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Key West’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Key West gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #612 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then coastal flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 4,086 claims here since 1978.
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 West’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Key West 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 West’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Key West, and Key West’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #612 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Key West’s residents live in 8 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 West has more expected damage per building than 96% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.7M a year in losses across Key West: $22.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Key West flood? Yes: 4,086 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Key West, from FEMA’s records: 280.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Wilma2,616 claims · $160M
- Hurricane Ian358 claims · $25.3M
- Hurricane Irma272 claims · $15.6M
Key West is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Key West
Disasters that paid out in Key West itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Key West), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,941 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Key West for repairs358 flood claims paid for it, $25.3M
- 2017Hurricane Irma16,349 households applied for aid$13.8M aid approved$9.9M to the City of Key West for repairs272 flood claims paid for it, $15.6M
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$400K to the City of Key West for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike$117K to the City of Key West for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$489K to the City of Key West for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma8,168 households applied for aid$15.3M aid approved$10.5M to the City of Key West for repairs2,616 flood claims paid for it, $160M
Show all 11
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$556K to the City of Key West for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$2.9M to the City of Key West for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$1.5M to the City of Key West for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley64 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$1.5M to the City of Key West for repairs56 flood claims paid for it, $495K
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 West after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Key West archive →Key West and its neighbors
Key West has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key West | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 4,086 |
| Stock Island | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | — |
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 West 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.
- Key West residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Key West
Is Key West at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Key West has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #612 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and coastal flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Key West flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4,086 claims in Key West since 1978, $216M in all, or 280.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 279 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Wilma (2,616).
Is Key West 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 West?
Key West is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 West?
By FEMA money that reached Key West, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 8,168 households applied for aid, $15.3M approved, and $10.5M to the City of Key West for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Wilma: 2,616 paid, $160M.
Is Key West at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Key West’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Key West.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Key West’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.