Frequently Asked Questions

• Monroe County does not supply sandbags. With our type of flooding, sandbags have been proven insufficient in protecting property in the past.  

• Filling sandbags at the beach or from private property, like golf courses, is illegal. 

  • Filling sandbags at beaches violates county, state, and federal laws and leads to beach erosion, which can endanger structures and homes along the beach. Taking sand can also disrupt sea turtle nests which are protected through the Endangered Species Act. 

  • You should be able to find sandbags at most home improvement stores. Alternatives to sand can be potting soil, gravel, cat litter, and dirt from your lawn 

  • In the past, residents have used spray foam around the bottoms of their doors. But note that is difficult to remove afterwards and can stain the door.

Power and water will not be purposefully turned off before a storm. 

There are no current mandatory evacuations ordered in Monroe County at this time for residents or visitors. Visitors can find more information at www.visitfloridakeys.com. 

For reference: Monroe County in-county shelters if needed for category 1 and 2 hurricanes. All Monroe County shelters are pet friendly, please pre-register your pet at www.monroecountyem.com/petsheltering. Shelters information can be found at www.monroecountyem.com/shelters.

Take your own supplies

• Cots or beds are not provided. Bring pillows, sheets, blankets, portable cot or air mattress, chaise lounge, folding chairs, or sleeping bags.
• If you are on a special diet, bring a supply of nonperishable food that will be sufficient for 3 days per person.
• Multiple changes of clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Required medications and medical support equipment, like wheelchair/walker, oxygen, dressings, feeding and suction equipment, diapers, etc.
• Personal hygiene items, like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, towels, brush/comb, dentures, glasses, eye drops, diapers, etc.
• Entertainment items, like games, cards, books, magazines, etc.
• Wi-fi and cell signals may not be available

What to Bring to a Shelter

• Masks and Hand Sanitizer
• Water and Food
• Drinking water in plastic containers (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days)
• Non-perishable food in cans or sealed containers (enough for 3 days)
• Special dietary foods, baby food, formula, manual can opener, paper products, and utensils
• Portable ice chest with ice
• Clothing and Bedding
• Extra clothes and shoes
• Sleeping bag, blanket and pillow, and lightweight portable lounge chairs
• Rain gear                    
• Wash clothes, towels, soap, toothbrush, paper towels, and toilet paper
• Baby Supplies                 
• Clothes and blankets
• Diapers
• Formula, bottles, and food
• Medications and First Aid Supplies
• Medication clearly marked with your name, dosage, type of medication, and doctor’s name *Must be able to administer all medications
• First Aid supplies in a waterproof box
• Important Papers
• Name and address of doctors
• Name and address of nearest relatives
• Identification and valuable papers

Miscellaneous

• Games, cards, toys, battery-powered radios, and flashlights                    
• Take a bath and eat before you leave home
• Register immediately upon entering the shelter

Shelter Rules

• Residents are required to complete registration before entering the shelter    
• No weapons, alcohol, or illegal drugs    
• No smoking allowed in shelters    
• ‘Lights out’ quiet time will be enforced    
• No pets in the general population area except service animals    
• Children must be attended at all times. Parents are not allowed to leave the premises without them 

Americans Disability Act (ADA) assistance is available at all local shelters.

• Bridges do not close prior to a storm.

• Conditions can make it unsafe for emergency vehicles and high-profile vehicles to cross bridges due to high winds. Once winds reach 35 mph, high profile vehicles should not operate until safe conditions resume.

• There are no curfews in place.
• Curfew decisions are made at the local level by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office based on the specific situation. Check www.keysso.net for updated information.

• WATCH: Conditions are possible in the specified area, usually within 48 hours.

• WARNING: Conditions are expected in the specified area within 36 hours.

More information on special needs registration, visit http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/specialneeds. 

Local jurisdictions have the authority to declare, by resolution, a local state of emergency pursuant to Section 252.38(3)(a)5., Florida Statutes. A local state of emergency directive can be initiated by a county at any time, but in most cases, it should be declared prior to requesting a response or recovery assistance from the state. Declaring a local state of emergency informs state decision-makers that an emergency situation exists beyond the response or recovery capabilities of the local jurisdiction.

The enactment of such a directive will enable counties to:

• Initiate local emergency preparedness and response actions
• Request state assistance, if needed
• Invoke emergency-related mutual-aid assistance
• Waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivision by law, to respond to the emergency

Orders and directives can be found at https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/1262/Emergency-Orders-Declarations. 

Download books and audiobooks free from Monroe County Public Library System: No library card, no problem. https://www.keyslibraries.org/online

Florida Keys history buff? Read more here: https://www.keyslibraries.org/keyshistory