Shelters

Category 1 & 2 HURRICANE SHELTERS

For Category 1 and 2 hurricanes, Monroe County offers four shelters. They are located at Key West High School, Sugarloaf School, Marathon High School, and Coral Shores High School. Monroe County Category 1 and 2 shelters are pet-friendly.

Key West High School
2100 Flagler St.
Key West, FL
Capacity: 352

Sugarloaf School
255 Crane Blvd.
MM 19
Sugarloaf Key, FL
Capacity: 307		Marathon High School
350 Sombrero Rd.
Marathon, FL
Capacity: 280		Coral Shores High School
89901 Overseas Hwy
MM 89.5
Plantation Key, FL          
Capacity: 236


Category 3, 4 & 5 HURRICANE SHELTERS: NONE IN MONROE COUNTY

There are no shelters in Monroe County for a hurricane rated at or above a Category 3. Evacuation becomes mandatory for everyone.

After an evacuation has been ordered, anyone choosing to stay will not be able to get medical, fire rescue, or law enforcement help until storm conditions subside, roads are made passable, and equipment is operable.

Once an evacuation order is issued, Monroe County residents seeking public shelter on the mainland will be informed of the shelter locations. Please note that sheltering options may include Florida International University, the E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition (which allows pets), and other facilities within Miami-Dade County, based on their availability on a per storm basis. Information will be made available via Monroe County official alerts, Monroe County Website Press Releases, social media sites, MCTV Channel 76 & 99, and by local media and other local official government agencies.

Monroe County Designated Shelters Outside of Monroe County

E. DARWIN FUCHS PAVILION: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC.

10901 SW 24th Street; Miami, FL       *Pets Allowed

Directions to the E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion:

  • Leave Keys and take Florida Turnpike north toward Orlando
  • Take Exit 23 ramp toward SW 40th St/Bird Road
  • Bear slight left onto SW 117th Ave
  • Take first right at the light, SW 40th St/Bird Road
  • Turn left at SW 112th Ave
  • Turn right on 24th St, make U-turn, the entrance is on your right.

Special Needs Shelters

Special Needs individuals will be transported to the Special Needs Shelter located at Florida International University (FIU). All Special Needs individuals must be pre-registered with Monroe County Emergency Management.

Florida International University

11290 SW 13th Street, University Park, RC 101, Miami, FL 33199

Directions to the Florida International University:

  • Exit the Keys to Florida Turnpike north toward Orlando
  • Take Exit 25 for U.S. 41/SW 8th St
  • Bear right and merge with traffic onto SW 8th St.  
  • Take the first right into the FIU campus

Bringing Pets to a Shelter

For more information about how to bring your pet to a shelter, click here.