Key West, FL natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Key West comes from hurricanes, and overall the risk is very high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 4,086 claims here since 1978. 13 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Key West?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Key West to be higher than in 95% of U.S. communities, mostly from hurricanes and coastal flooding.
What Key West faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
Inland flooding
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Key West flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Key West, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Hurricane Wilma: 2,616 claims, $160M
- Hurricane Ian: 358 claims, $25.3M
- Hurricane Irma: 272 claims, $15.6M
Homes that flooded again and again
Each house = 5 homes. ■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (51) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
13 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Key West itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of Key West.
Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Isaac
Hurricane Ike
Tropical Storm Fay
Hurricane Wilma
Tropical Storm Rita
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Dennis
Hurricane Frances
Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley
Fl-Hurricane Irene-Dr-Req
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Key West total about $20.7M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.