This is a yearly concern for so many, this insider page was created to capture the good information so it's available whenever needed.

Hurricane Season in America: June 1st through November 30th. The most likely months during that time: August, September and October.  This link will help with some of the terms and history of Florida Keys hurricanes.  http://thefloridakeys.com/storm/

Do NOT let hurricane season make you change your mind about vacationing in Key West.  That's not to say, take it lightly... Just take it seriously enough to stay on top of it withoput letting it freak you out. And now, a word about travel insurance during hurricane season: PRUDENT.Buy it... It's fairly cheap and certainly less expensive than a lost deposit, 'can't use' airline tickets etc. Keep an eye on the weather channel. If you're coming to Key West and it looks like a storm is out there but will miss the island... Remember, it's going to go SOMEWHERE. Say you have a connection in a city that could be effected... Three days in an airport hotel, if you can get a room... Everyone else will have the same idea, ain't the perfect idea of vacation paradise! Travel insurance isn't just for your destination.... It's for your whole trip.  

A post from another local so well put it: "Most tourists can't stay during mandatory evacuations as there is no place to stay. Most of the major hotels close within hours of a madatory tourist evacuation as do most of the B and Bs where the owners don't live on-site. Some of the owners who live on-site might let you stay but will give you a waver to sign and may hand you a toe tag (Don't laugh, it's been done) The key to staying through a hurricane is to be prepared. The locals know how to do so. Tourists don't. Besides, the chances of it being hot and miserable with no electricity and possibly, no water, are always there during and after a storm. Cable TV? Forget it! Phones? Maybe, maybe not. Cell phones? Many after Wilma didn't have cell phones for almost a week. Bars? Nope! Restaurants? Nope! Hospitals? Nope! Fire and Police? Maybe, when they get to you."

To a question posted about actually getting out of Key West during an evacuation...

What does the city / county do? Two long-time locals posted these resposnses:

"They use everyting. School buses, Greyhounds and they do bring in extra flights to help." - 'Arnie67

"They throw in everything they can spare. Getting out is no problem unless you are dead set to do it a certain way and only a certain way. You have to be flexible." 

In regards to hurricane evac from Key West. Three tiers: By law, IF a storm is called a 'hurricane', the systems goes into action.

  • 72 Hours before landfall, a visitors evac is called. As stated above, there will likely, there will be no utilities. (Think being on the fifth floor at LaConcha. No elevators, no A/C, no power so no pumps = no water. No flushing, no lights etc. The city will be hard pressed to help those who live here without the added burden of additional people to worry about. The infrastructure can not handle it. YOUR safety plus those items mentioned are the two main reasons for the visitor evac.)
  • 48 Hrs before landfall: People in mobile homes and 'low lying areas' get the evac order. (Whatever the h*ll is considered 'low lying' in the Keys... )
  • 24 Hrs before landfall if KW is within the 'cone of probablity' a resident evac is ordered.
This 'stepped' evacuation is designed to allow for an orderly evac of the Florida Keys. Again, if the folks who live here have to boogie on out, the last thing needed is additional people clogging the roads and airports who need not be there in the first place. While you might, in the back of your mind, think it'd be cool to 'ride it out'... Ya have to think of others. This about sums it up... Be watchful but not frantic about it. Buy travel insurance. If you're here and a storm seems likely, follow the instructions and make a panic-free exit at the proper time. Hope this helps!