Key Colony Beach, located in the middle of the Florida Keys and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, is extremely vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms. The city's low average elevation (at about 2 feet above sea level) and its proximity to the coast leave it prone to storm surge and flooding, especially during high-tide situations. Coastal storms not only bring heavy rain that can cause freshwater flooding but also force large amounts of seawater onshore, leading to saltwater flooding. This can severely damage buildings and infrastructure and contaminate drinking water supplies. Historically, Key Colony Beach has experienced significant storm impacts. The most notable recent hurricane was Hurricane Irma in 2017, a category 4 storm, which caused significant damage through powerful winds, storm surges, and flooding. Prior to that, in 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused substantial surges that led to severe flooding and property damage. Given this history, residents of Key Colony Beach should be prepared for potential evacuation during hurricane events, have thorough home insurance that covers flooding, and plan for the possibility of long-term power outages and property damage. They should also prepare for the potential effects of climate change, which could lead to rising sea levels and more intense storms, increasing the area's vulnerability to storm impacts.