Monroe County Commissioners Proclaim March as American Red Cross Month

Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners formally proclaimed March as American Red Cross Month for the Florida Keys, recognizing the local and national humanitarian work carried out by the organization.

The proclamation, issued March 11, 2026, arrives during a month when county leadership has directed particular attention toward community preparedness and resilience. Earlier in the same week, Mayor Lincoln, the Board of County Commissioners, and Growth Management Director Emily Schemper issued a separate proclamation designating March 9 through 15 as Monroe County Flood Awareness Week, a recognition that carries statewide weight through its endorsement by the Florida Floodplain Managers Association.

The flood-focused proclamation is aimed at encouraging Keys residents to understand the specific risks facing properties throughout the county, learn about flood insurance options, and take concrete steps to protect their homes and families. "Flooding can impact homes and buildings across the county," the county stated. "Understanding flood hazards and taking steps to prepare can significantly reduce damage and improve community resilience."

The county has pointed residents toward three specific resources for flood preparedness information: monroecounty-fl.gov/flood for county-specific guidance, fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program for details on the National Flood Insurance Program, and floridadisaster.org/planprepare for broader Florida emergency preparedness resources.

March has also brought a slate of other county activity, with virtual public meetings scheduled on canal restoration program updates, bridge work underway at Tubby's Creek and Mosquito Creek along Card Sound Road, and a tire recycling event in the pipeline at county transfer stations. Families in the Lower Keys can mark their calendars for the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 25 at Big Coppitt Fire Station.

Monroe County can be reached at 1100 Simonton Street in Key West, or by phone at 305-294-4641.