Key West is part of Southern Coastlands geographical area.
Of the several components that make up a physical environment, climate has the greatest impact on the human geography of the Southern Coastlands. A humid subtropical climate, a long growing season, mild winter temperatures, and warm, humid summers all contribute to patterns of human activity associated with the region.Citrus production has been a particularly important contributor to Florida's economy since it was first introduced to the region by Spaniards during the 16th century, although the areas of primary production have gradually shifted southward along the peninsula's interior.
Recreation and retirement are also major industries for the Southern Coastlands. Even by the early 1950s, the importance of amenity factors in stimulating the regional growth of Florida and the Gulf Coast was clear; since then their effects have increased.The most dramatic tourist magnet in the region, however, has been Florida. With long beaches facing both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, this state has drawn winter vacationers for decades.
Environment
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| Sunset near Marathon |
The Upper Keys islands are remnants of large coral reefs, which became fossilized and exposed as sea level declined. The Lower Keys are composed of sandy-type accumulations of limestone grains produced by plants and marine organisms.
The natural habitats of the Keys are upland forests, inland wetlands and shoreline zones. Soil ranges from sand to marl to rich, decomposed leaf litter. In some places, "caprock" (the eroded surface of coral formations) covers the ground. Rain falling through leaf debris becomes acidic and dissolves holes in the limestone, where soil accumulates and trees root.
Environmental Programs
Please Help Protect Florida's Sea Turtles & Habitats
Sea turtle nesting
season in Key West is March 1 through October 31 (Atlantic) and May 1
through October 31 (Gulf). During nesting season, be aware of sea turtles as you walk the beach and please respect their natural habitat.
Key West Warnings and Dangers
HurricanesMore erratic, more sporadic, more dramatic, and locally more destructive are the region's hurricanes--large cyclonic storms generated by intense solar heating over large bodies of warm water. Because these storms are an accepted feature of the region, and weather satellites and other forecasting tools are available, preparations to withstand the greatest force of the wind and rain can be made early. And because the heaviest damage is usually limited to a relatively narrow swath as the storm moves onshore, many portions of the region have not been affected for years. On the other hand, because hurricanes are so variable in occurrence and strength, settlements have spread in spite of warnings into coastal areas that are very much exposed to the dangers of a large storm.
Key west,Florida's history with tropical
systems(br)=brush (ts)=Tropical Storm (bd)=Back Door,meaning coming from over land from opposite coast.Not all names are noted,also storms before 1950 were not named.Not every stat on every storm description is given(since 1871).
Years within 60 miles
1871ts,1876,1878tsbr,1878br,1886br,1891ts,1892ts,1894,1895tsbr,1897ts,1900ts,1906-2,1909,
1910,1916xtr,1919,1924br,1926br,1928ts,1929br,1933-2,1934ts,1935,1935br,1941ts
1944,1945ts,1946br,1947ts,1947,1948-2,1950,1952ts,1960,1964,1965,1966-2,
1987,1990ts,1994ts,1998,1999,2005-3br,2005,2008ts,(2012 ts not in stats)
51 times 140 yrs end of 2011
Names from list above
Easy,Donna,Isabell,Betsy,Alma,Inez,Dennis,Alberto,Floyd,Marco,Gordon,Georges,Irene,Dennis,Katrina, Rita,Wilma,Fay,Isaac,
| Tropical Storm to Hurricane ratio TS=17,33.33% H=34, 66.67% |  |
Longest gap between storms
21 years 1966-1987
How often Key West gets affected?
brushed or hit every 2.75 years
Average years between direct hurricane hits.(hurricane force winds for at least a few hours)
(24h)once every 5.83 years
Average MPH of hurricane hits. (based on advisories sustained winds, not gusts)
109mph
Statistically when Key West should be affected next
affected in 2012
Last affected by
2012 Aug 26th, Tropical storm Isaac passes just south with 60 mph winds while moving WNW
This areas hurricane past
1876, October 19 Eye passed over Key West 105mph from the south. Barometer 28.73. Calm from 6pm to 8:15pm. Maximum wind 88mph at 8:45pm.
1894 sept 25th,85mph from the south gusts to 105mph,press 29.10 2 ships capsized
1906 June 16th,80mph from the S.W passes just east
1906 Oct 18th,120mph from the SSW ,over 150 killed in the keys
1909 Oct 11th,115mph from the WSW bar 28.50 13 inches rain before eye hit & only 1 inch afterwards 400 buildings destroyed,2 killed,400 buildings either collapsed or were swept away. Damages to the railroad were not near as great as in 1906
1910 Oct 17th 125mph winds from the SSW a 15ft storm surge reported & press 28.47, 7 ft of standing water in key west
1919 sept 10th,130mph from the ESE bar 927mb in dry tortugas killed 400+ in marine casualties winds over gale force for 38 hrs,10 ships lost . Highest sustained winds were estimated at 110 mph., the steamer Valbanera was found sunken between Key West and the Dry Tortugas with 488 aboard. All perished. Hurricane Grotto shrine
1933 Sept 1st, 105mph to the south from the ESE
1933 Oct 5th, 115mph just SE from the SW
1935,Sept 3rd, 130mph just north from the S.E labor day hurricane lowest bar pressure ever before gilbert in 1988,lower matecumbe key press 26.35,key west pressure 29.41 middle keys 150mph to 200mph passes well north of Key west as a small system but hurricane force wind field did reach Key west.
1944 oct 18th just west press 28.02 ,120mph from the SSW very slow moving,key west press 29.14 60mph
1947 oct 11th ,80mph from the S.W reported gusts to 150mph just west at dry tortugas .
1948 sept 21st,120mph from the S.W bar 28.45 , a 6 ft storm surge at low tide,several centers reported on hurricane 3 killed.Winds recorded at 122 mph at Boca Chica airport. Gusts were said to have reached 160 mph.
1948 oct 5th,125mph from the S.W , moving fast,ket west pressure 29.17
1950 Sept 3rd,85mph Hurricane Easy passes just west from the south
1960 Sept 10th,140mph just north from the S.E Hurricane Donna
1964 Oct 14th Hurricane Isabell passes approx 30 miles north of here with 125mph winds from the SW
1965,Sept 8th,120mph Hurricane Betsy Key West got gusts to 81mph even though Betsy was well to the north by 40 miles from the east.
1966 June 8th,125mph Hurricane Alma passes just west from the south.
1966 hurricane Inez oct 4th,85mph from the East gusts to 100mph while moving into the gulf,Key west in the eye for approx 3 hrs.
1980 Tropical storm Jeanne passes over 200 miles to the WSW but causes huge flooding problems for Key west.news audio
1987 hurricane floyd oct 12th, 80mph from the WSW bar 29.32 gust of 75 to 94mph minor damage.
1998 Sept 25th hurricane Georges hits direct with 105mph winds from the ESE houseboat row destroyed key west moderate damage heavier further av model error
1999 oct 15th hurricane Irene hits with 75mph from the SSW winds causing overall minor damage with some flooding while moving slowly NNE press 29.14 Newspaper article
2005,Oct 24th, Hurricane Wilma passes approx 65 miles north of keywest with 120mph winds while moving NE as a very large hurricane .Intense winds remained approx 15 miles north of lower keys but a surge ranging from 50 to 8 ft inundated many homes in the lower keys. Official final report from NHC 72mph sustained with gusts to 82mph.| Wilma satellite picture
Text Sources:The Major Hurricanes to affect the Bahamas Wayne Neely.....Hurricane Watch Dr. Bob Sheets & Jack Williams.....Inside the Hurricane Pete Davies.....The Ship & the Storm Jim Carrier.....Lunatic Wind William Price Fox...Sudden Sea R.A Scotti.....Hurricane Almanac Bryan Norcross.....Divine Wind Kerry Emanuel.....Florida's Hurricane History Jay Barnes.....Stormscaping Pamela Crawford.....Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States Rick Scwartz..... Killer Cane Robert Mykle..... Isaac's Storm Erik Larson.....Florida Hurricanes & Tropical Storms John M. Williams & Iver W.Duedall.....Path of destruction John McQuaid & Mark Schleifstein.....Sun sentinel newspaper(microfilm).....Miami Herald newspaper(microfilm).....NOAA research division.....hurricanecity.com (calculations) Jim Williams.....plus many more.............
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