Scope
This is a Florida Keys flood preparedness guide for day-to-day king tides and storm-driven flooding (tropical storms, hurricanes, heavy rainfall, storm surge). It focuses on personal safety, property readiness, and local decision-making for island and coastal conditions.
Platform and feature roadmaps belong in the roadmap pages — this page is strictly a readiness checklist you can use at home, at work, or with your HOA/neighborhood.
Quick Actions (Save These)
- Immediate danger / life-threatening flooding: call 911.
- Monroe County Emergency Management (non-emergency): keep local contact info saved in your phone.
- Road closures: check fl511.com before driving.
- Forecasts & alerts: monitor NWS Key West and NOAA/NHC.
Tip: Take a screenshot of these links/steps before a storm in case cell service is degraded.
Flood Preparedness Checklist (Florida Keys)
A) Before Flooding (Now / This Season)
- Know your routes: identify high-ground routes and alternatives. In the Keys, a single road corridor can be cut off quickly.
- Sign up for alerts: enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone and follow official sources (Monroe County EM, NWS Key West).
- Build a go-kit: water, medications, first aid, headlamp, chargers, important documents, cash, and pet supplies.
- Protect your home: clear drains, elevate valuables, prepare sandbags/flood barriers if applicable, and secure outdoor items.
- Vehicle readiness: keep fuel above half a tank; move vehicles to higher ground if tide flooding is expected.
- Insurance & records: photograph valuables and property conditions before storms.
B) When Flooding Is Possible (24–72 Hours Out)
- Check forecast + tide cycles: king tides + rain + onshore winds can compound quickly.
- Charge everything: phones, battery packs, lanterns; download offline maps if you can.
- Move items up: elevate furniture, electronics, and hazardous materials.
- Plan for power loss: set fridge/freezer to coldest setting; have coolers ready.
- Coordinate: check on neighbors and agree on a contact plan if communications fail.
C) During Flooding (Safety First)
- Do not drive through flooded roads. Depth is hard to judge and roads can wash out.
- Avoid floodwater: it may contain sewage, chemicals, and sharp debris.
- Turn around, don’t drown: if water is over the roadway or moving fast, do not enter.
- Electrical safety: if water is entering your home, avoid breakers/wet outlets; move to a safer location.
- If told to evacuate: leave early. Waiting can remove your safe exit option.
D) After Flooding (Recovery + Documentation)
- Return only when safe: follow official guidance on road re-openings and access.
- Document damage: photos/videos before cleanup for insurance/assistance.
- Prevent mold: ventilate, remove wet materials quickly, and dehumidify when possible.
- Food safety: discard perishable food if power was out for extended periods.
- Health: wear gloves/boots; wash thoroughly after cleanup.
Florida Keys-Specific Notes
- One-road vulnerability: US-1 closures can isolate neighborhoods. Plan early.
- Saltwater flooding: storm surge and high tides can damage vehicles and building systems quickly.
- Groundwater rise: flooding can come from below (septic, yards) even without heavy rain.
- Accessibility: keep mobility needs and medical equipment power requirements in mind.
Next Steps
- Print or save this checklist so you can reference it offline.
- Share with neighbors/HOAs and agree on a communication plan.
- Do a 15-minute home walkthrough now: drains, outdoor items, valuables, vehicle plan.
- During events: rely on official instructions from Monroe County EM and NWS.