I started a thread over here about a trip I’m planning on taking to Key West. But it is during hurricane season. The folks in that thread offered up a ton of juicy vacation-oriented suggestions, but no-one responded to my “should we be doing this during hurricane season” question. But given the thread title, I really shouldn’t be too surprised.
So here in a more aptly-titled thread, I’d like to get the input of Floridians et al who can tell me if it’s daft to vacation on a tiny little key during hurricane season; or general “here’s how to deal…” tips.
Well, people live there during hurricane season, so it’s really up to you.
If you do go, you should definitely have one eye and/or one ear on the weather reports daily, and if something’s brewing, get all the information you can about where it is & where it appears to be heading. If something does get close, you won’t be driving out unless you have more than 3 days advance on the storm - the roads will be at a complete standstill. Only one way out by car & all that.
Also, it will be ungodly hot & humid that time of year. I only recommend doing it if you plan to spend all your time nearly naked (swimsuit will do), with cold beverage in hand or in the water. That’s how I did it. Good times, good times.
Just remember that The Weather Channel gives the hurricane report at :50 past the hour, every hour, from June 1 - Nov. 30. Tune in once a day, and if you see Jim Cantore standing outside looking shiny, pay attention. If he’s outside, shit’s about to go down. If he’s sitting at a desk, cut the tv off and head out to the beach. Or wherever. Enjoy.
Yes, lately it has been a ring-dang-do for us. But we do, as has been pointed out above, live here. So if a hurricane comes at us, no matter when, we will get hit. But you, on the other hand, are only gonna be here for a little while.
Even in hurricane season, and even if Key West gets hit or even threatened, the odds are that it won’t be while you all are there.
I’d certainly keep an eye on the weather as has been said above, but really, IMHO, I don’t think you should let anxiety about this interfere with your vacation.
Good thing is, hurricanes are not like tornadoes. We do get advance warning.
Come down and visit and spend your money. I think you’ll be better off doing early (June-July) rather than waiting until later in the season (Aug-Sep). Can you move your trip up a week or two?
I would not allow that concern to be a deal breaker, at all. The last few years have been pretty bad, and many people think we’ve entered a heavier frequency cycle, but the odds of any given weekend being disrupted are pretty low, still, over time.