In a typical hurricane, the requirements for Monroe County evacuation are as follows:
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- All persons that live in mobile homes, travel trailers, recreational vehicles (RVs) and boats are required to evacuate.
- Without regard to structure type, all persons that live in low-lying areas or directly adjacent to the water will receive a recommendation to evacuate.
- All persons that are sick, elderly, or disabled will receive a recommendation to evacuate the mainland.
- All women in their third trimester of pregnancy will receive a recommendation to evacuate.
In Category 3, 4, AND 5 Hurricanes:
By state statute, all persons are required to comply with an evacuation order. In this case, you will be directed to go to the mainland.
Evacuation
An evacuation is a slow, frustrating, time consuming experience. Evacuees exercise extreme caution in traffic, because they do not wish to loose their means of transportation. Provisions have been made to close U.S. 1 and move remaining evacuees into the safest structures available, as weather conditions deteriorate. You will not be caught on the highway during landfall of any hurricane.
Dangerous winds can often precede a hurricane by many hours. All persons evacuating with a large vehicle and those persons planning to tow a trailer or boat are required to leave early. Later in an evacuation, these vehicles will be removed from traffic.
Monroe County may not have enough shelter spaces for Category 1 or 2 hurricanes. This is especially true in the Lower Keys and Key West.
There are no shelters in Monroe County that will be safe in the most deadly hurricanes (Category 3, 4, 5). These shelters will remain close during these most dangerous hurricanes. You must evacuate the mainland.
The purpose of a Shelter is to provide a safe haven from the storm. DO NOT EXPECT substantial meals or comfort items. If you want special foods, bedding or entertainment, you MUST provide it yourself. Please see "What to bring to a Shelter".
NO MEDICAL CARE will be available at these shelters. If you expect to need medical care, you should make your own arrangements to evacuate to a medical facility on the mainland.
Absolutely no pets, alcohol, or weapons will be permitted in the shelters. The shelter manager is in charge, and all will have a law enforcement officer. All laws will be strictly enforced.
Since Monroe County shelters WILL NOT BE OPENED in Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricanes, you will need to evacuate to the mainland.
Monroe County residents seeking public shelter in Dade County should take the Fl Turnpike Extension from Florida City to Florida International University (F.I.U.) at the US 41/SW 8th St. Exit. This is the officially designated location to provide shelter for Monroe County residents, and it is the only shelter open. Do not report to other Miami-Dade County shelters as they may not be open.
Upon entering Miami-Dade County, turn your radio to station WIOD (610 AM) or WFLC (97.3F) to receive emergency information.