County: Monroe
ZIP Codes: 33001
Layton, Florida, located in the Florida Keys, sits right at sea level and is almost completely surrounded by water, making the town highly vulnerable to hurricanes and floods. It is important to note that even minor storm surge from less intense storms can cause significant damage due to the town's low elevation. Considering its coastal location, direct hurricane impacts such as high winds and heavy rainfall resulting in property destruction and local flooding are high-risk scenarios. Moreover, it is primarily accessed via the Overseas Highway, which can get cut off during serious incidents, potentially causing isolation-related issues. Historically, Layton has seen by a number of hurricanes and tropical storms such as Hurricane Irma (2017), Hurricane Michelle (2001), and Hurricane Andrew (1992). Particularly, Hurricane Irma resulted in significant property damage and flooding, causing evacuation and relief efforts. Due to the town's geographic location and exposure to the Atlantic hurricane season, it is vital to have robust emergency plans and evacuation strategies, infrastructure hardened against storm impacts, and effective flood mitigation measures in place.