Monroe County evacuation zones are not reentry zones

The Keys have hurricane logistics that do not work like a mainland county.

Monroe County uses phased evacuation planning. Residents are told to know their zone before an order. The county also separates evacuation zones from Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys reentry sticker zones. In other words, the plan for leaving and the plan for returning are related, but they are not one single map.

That difference matters for residents, workers, second-home owners, and people staying in the Keys during storm season. Mile markers, causeway distance, gas, route timing, lodging, pets, and family needs can all change the plan.

Check Monroe County’s evacuation page before hurricane season. Save the zone, route, reentry sticker information, destination, fuel plan, pet plan, and county alert source. During a storm, use the county’s current message and give yourself more time than a normal drive would suggest.