The chain of islands celebrated by singer Jimmy Buffett in his odes to tropical escapism is surrounded by water, jutting out 120 miles southwesterly from Florida’s mainland to Key West with the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on either side.
The archipelago historically has been known for its quirky and libertarian inhabitants who revel in the islands’ hedonistic, artistic and outdoorsy lifestyle. In recent years, it also has become a haven for the wealthy.
Overseeing safety for the more than 80,000 inhabitants of the Conch Republic — the nickname for the islands after denizens declared a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in the early 1980s — is Shannon Weiner, director of emergency management for Monroe County, Florida.
Trending: Body Language Expert Breaks Down Kash Patel and Dan Bongino Interview — “They Both Did It!”
The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and the county has some new weapons
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!