Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Stay Informed About Islamorada's Emergency Management Activities Before, During, and After a Storm

Sign up for Islamorada Emergency Alerts Emails to receive notifications of local actions being taken and current conditions in the Village.

Monroe County residents can visit Monroe County Special Needs Registry if they need assistance during evacuations because of physical and ge/optin?v=001tS5kHfiQRiaUxTdms1vYuOxVQAnbW_bprOm2fMipcKFxmKkNhKFQ-INLri1feI9F8Tv2ZkRv1dvHMzVXA6Ldw91QxRoSLtfEukSUAyojusTzjZXaNiKTQX9-F9mPsaAaVcBOpmlfr69xaqQg15YA3HZlCPyxZy6om-SafPxJd7N_w2Jv5mental handicaps. Please don't wait until a storm is approaching to find out if you are eligible for assistance.

Monroe County Emergency Management

Please visit Monroe County Emergency Management website for full information and resources for all Monroe County residents, businesses, and visitors.

Local Hurricane Information Numbers

  • Monroe County Emergency Hotline: 800-955-5504
  • Monroe County Emergency Management Office: 305-289-6018
  • NOAA Weather Radio (Islamorada Area): 162.45MHz
  • Islamorada Fire Rescue non-emergency: 305-664-6490

Re-entry Vehicle Windshield Stickers

Monroe County residents may now obtain one sticker for each registered vehicle by providing proof of residency at a Monroe County Tax Collector’s office. Proof of residency includes a Florida Driver’s License and vehicle registration or a property bill with an out-of-county vehicle registration for out-of-county residents who own a home in Monroe County. These stickers make reentry easier if checkpoints are required to assure safe re-entry into the Keys following a destructive storm that causes a public safety issue. 

The new system is barcoded with color-coded stickers for zone-by-zone reentry.

Note: The re-entry sticker zones are different than evacuation zones before a hurricane, which use five zones in the event of an evacuation. You can find the Evaluation Zones on the Monroe County Evacuation page.

  • Zone 1: Lower Keys residents from the south end of the 7 Mile Bridge to Stock Island (MM 40 to MM 4) will be dark pink.
  • Zone 2: Middle Keys residents from the south end of the Long Key Bridge to the north end of the 7 Mile Bridge (MM 64 to MM 47) are.
  • Zone 3: Upper Keys residents from the county line including Ocean Reef to the north end of the Long Key Bridge (MM 113 to MM 64) will have a purple decal. 
  • The City of Key West requires its own sticker, which is white and has not changed. If you already have a City of Key West reentry decal, you do not need to pick up a new one.

Where to Obtain a Re-entry Vehicle Windshield Sticker

Residents from Ocean Reef to Stock Island can get the stickers at the Monroe County Tax Collector’s office locations.
From 8 am to 4:45 pm
Monday through Friday

Tax Collector Locations

  • Key West - 1200 Truman Avenue, Suite 101, or the DMV at 3304 N. Roosevelt Boulevard
  • Marathon - 3015 Overseas Highway
  • Big Pine Key – 247 Key Deer Boulevard
    Tuesday through Thursday
    9 am to 2:45 pm
  • Plantation Key - 88800 Overseas Highway
  • Key Largo - 101487 Overseas Highway

Stickers will be available throughout the year but do not wait until a storm is approaching to pick up a sticker. Stickers will not be available once a state of emergency is declared in Monroe County, which occurs several days before a storm is forecast to strike.

Reentry After A Hurricane

When a storm is destructive to the Keys, reentry after evacuations must be done in an orderly, staged manner when it is safe and there are enough services for people to return.

Visit the Monroe County Emergency Management Information Regarding Reentry After an Evacuation.

How to Make a Disaster Plan

The following information is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

A key way to cope with a disaster is to have a plan. Know how to react before, during, and after a disaster and know the hazards that could affect where you live, work and go to school. It is important for all Floridians, especially individuals with access and functional needs, to plan ahead.

It is important for Monroe County residents who need assistance during evacuations because of physical and mental handicaps to sign up for the Monroe County Special Needs Registry. Please don't wait until a storm is approaching to find out whether you are eligible for assistance during evacuations and sheltering through the Special Needs Registry.

Communication

  • Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes. Know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a meeting place that’s familiar to everyone and easy to find.
  • Complete your family emergency communication plan online and print it onto wallet-sized cards. Family Emergency Planning.
  • Ensure all family members have a copy.
  • Install the FEMA mobile app. It provides severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five selected locations.
  • Keep an NOAA Weather Radio tuned to the local emergency station; monitor TV and radio.
  • Follow mobile alerts and warnings about severe weather.

Evacuation

  • Evacuation orders can come with little notice. Planning ahead is vital to evacuating quickly and safely.
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website FloridaDisaster.org has comprehensive information on what to do before, during, and after a disaster under Plan and Prepare.
  • Plan how to leave and where to go if advised to evacuate.
  • Fill vehicles with gas if an evacuation seems likely.
  • Wear sturdy shoes and clothes.
  • Those without cars should plan how to leave.
  • Listen to a battery-powered radio and leave when told to do so.
  • Leave early to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
  • A list of nearby open shelters is on the FEMA mobile app. 
  • Inform an out-of-state contact about your evacuation plan.
  • Unplug radios, TV, and small appliances.
  • Secure the home by locking doors and windows.
  • Leave a note letting others know the plan for evacuation.
  • If the home is damaged, shut off water, gas, and electricity.
  • Take pets along, but be aware some shelters or hotels only accept service animals.
  • Check with neighbors who may need a ride.
  • Follow recommended evacuation routes.
  • If stranded when driving, stay in the vehicle, put on flashers, call for help, and wait until it arrives.

Disaster kits

Have disaster supply kits ready at all times in your home, work, and vehicles.

  • A disaster kit is a collection of basic items needed in the event of an emergency and can be assembled well in advance.
  • Have enough food, enough water, and other necessities, including all medications, in sufficient quantity for each family member to last for at least 72 hours.
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management has a list of items to include in disaster supply kits. Ready.gov also has a list of recommended emergency supplies. MySafeFlorida.org is another source for suggested items for disaster kits.
  • Include supplies for individuals with disabilities, children, seniors, or pets, and protection against the Florida weather. Insect repellent and sunscreen should be in all kits, as well as rainproof gear for everyone.

For more FEMA recovery information please visit the Florida Disaster Org website, or follow their Twitter Page and Facebook Page.

FDEP Guidance After a Storm

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Division of Water Resource Management staff are committed to assisting property owners and local governments prepare for and recover from storm events and we encourage you to visit its Current Hurricane and Tropical Storm website Monroe County Special Needs Registry for useful pre- and post-storm information and guidance. On the page, you can review the Department’s post-storm Emergency Final Order and other helpful guidance to ensure that necessary repairs and restoration seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (“CCCL”) have been properly reviewed and permitted. The CCCL Post-Storm Public Info Handout document breaks down the CCCL section of a Department issued Emergency Final Order, and lists typical post-storm activity types in a table format that explains whether a Department CCCL permit or a local government building permit is required to perform a specific post-storm activity seaward of the CCCL.