Understanding Tropical Weather

Traveling to the Florida Keys
During Hurricane Season

View Current Travel Safety Information for the latest updates on Storm Watches, Warnings, and Advisories in the Florida Keys.

Visit Florida Keys prioritizes the safety of visitors to The Florida Keys and Key West and is committed to providing honest, trustworthy information about traveling to the Keys when conditions call for caution, such as during a potential storm threat.

Quick Links:

Frequently Asked Questions

About Traveling to the Florida Keys During Hurricane Season

What is a hurricane?

Hurricanes and tropical storms are strong tropical cyclones, which are low-pressure weather systems formed over tropical or subtropical waters with thunderstorm activity and surface wind circulation. Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 mph are called tropical depressions. Once a tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 39 mph it is typically called a tropical storm and assigned a name. In the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, once the winds reach 74 mph, the system is called a hurricane. There are five hurricane wind scale categories, increasing in severity from Category 1 to Category 5.

When is hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season formally begins June 1 and ends November 30. Historically, the chances of hurricane activity are greater between August 15 and October 15.

Can I travel to the Florida Keys during hurricane season?

Absolutely. The Keys are very popular with vacationers in the summer and fall months. View our Event Calendar to see the many great events scheduled in the Keys during that time. With school back in session and family vacationing at a lull, visitors may find lower lodging rates and quieter conditions. Historically, the chances are excellent that your Keys vacation will not be interrupted by a hurricane.

What do I do if I'm in the Florida Keys and a hurricane threatens the region?

Visit Florida Keys maintains close contact with Monroe County Emergency Management, National Weather Service Key West and the National Hurricane Center leading up to a storm. Tourism Advisory bulletins with information and guidance from these trusted sources are issued by VFK on a daily basis, informing hotels, resorts and other tourism properties of the latest conditions, so they may pass along information directly to as well as potential visitors.

When a storm threatens, visitors are always asked to leave first ahead of residents. Evacuation orders are only issued for significant threats. Storm-related updates are also shared on the Current Travel Safety Information web page.

I have immediate plans to travel to the Keys, but an evacuation has been ordered. Why can't I continue with those plans?

If an evacuation is ordered, there will be a steady stream of traffic leaving the Keys. If you travel to the Keys, you will be required to leave. Furthermore, most, if not all visitor facilities will not be open, as their owners make hurricane preparations. Buildings will be shuttered. Boats will be secured in protective moorings. State and county parks will close. So even though in the early stages of an evacuation, visitors may be able to reach the Keys, they will not enjoy the traditional benefits of a Keys vacation. It's best to reschedule travel plans to visit after the potential danger has passed.

I'm in the Keys and there's an order to evacuate, but I don't have a car. How do I leave?

There are several options. Check with the front office or hotel concierge to see if there are any rental cars or flights available in the area. A number of ground transportation shuttle services operate between Key West and Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports. Typically, bus and shuttle companies add extra vehicles to accommodate vacationers leaving the Keys.

For more information on ground and air transportation to and from the Keys visit Florida Keys & Key West Travel Information.

If I’m in the Keys while the area is affected by a hurricane, where can I go?

Local tourism officials realize that an unexpected vacation interruption is a hardship on visitors. The tourism council works cooperatively with other Florida destinations that typically set up special hotlines to provide hotel availability and rates. These numbers are published in advisories sent to properties and posted on the Keys website.

VISIT FLORIDA partners with Expedia and Priceline to share hotel availability and rates for evacuees. In the event of a storm, please refer to:

Expedia Florida Emergency Accommodations

Priceline Florida Emergency Accommodations

What about lodging refunds?

Each property has its own refund policy. The Lodging Association of the Florida Keys & Key West urges their members to provide refunds of unused nights as soon as local officials issue a visitor evacuation order. The majority of Keys properties subscribe to this standard. Prior to reserving travel, visitors should have a clear understanding about their lodging facility’s refund policies in the event of a hurricane threat. Travel insurance plans are available from companies that can provide additional fiscal protection.

Why, during an evacuation, are visitors asked to leave while residents can stay? And why must tourists leave so early?

Visitors are asked to leave the Keys for any category hurricane, while residents must evacuate for Category 3 storms or higher. Early visitor departures ensure safety and prevent congestion during resident evacuations. Because the Keys have only one highway, evacuations take longer than in other areas, requiring earlier action. If a hurricane hits, power outages, blocked roads, and closed airports are likely. Hotels and visitor services will shut down, with recovery efforts focused on restoring full operations. Though not every evacuation results in a direct hit, advances in forecasting should reduce unnecessary evacuations over time.

When can we resume our vacation to the Keys?

This depends on several factors. If only a visitor evacuation has been ordered and the storm misses the Keys, visitors often can begin returning the day after the threat passes. If both visitor and resident evacuation orders have been issued, and the storm misses the Keys, it might take a few days for visitor facilities to reopen. If the storm impacts the Keys, visitors can begin returning after electricity, road access and other infrastructure, such as transportation and hospitals, are restored.

Where can I monitor hurricanes and receive more information?

The National Hurricane Center — operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) monitors hurricanes both in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its extensive website can be found at www.nhc.noaa.gov. Information is also provided on Facebook and Twitter (@nhc_atlantic).

Other resources to keep up with the latest changes include:

Close
Close
or