Wilma caused two storm surge events in the Florida Keys, with the first occurring several hours before the storm's landfall in Florida and the second beginning just after the hurricane struck the state.
Storm tide estimates during the first surge included 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) at Key West above mean sea level (MSL), 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) above MSL elsewhere in the lower Florida Keys, 3 ft (0.91 m) above MSL in middle Florida Keys (including Marathon), and 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) above MSL in the upper Florida Keys.
The second event was more severe and caused the worst coastal flooding in the Florida Keys since Hurricane Betsy in 1965.
Key West recorded a storm tide of 6.5 ft (2.0 m) above MSL in the second event.
Estimates elsewhere included tides of 5–8 ft (1.5–2.4 m) above MSL between Boca Chica Key and Big Pine Key, 5–8 ft (1.5–2.4 m) above MSL in the middle Florida Keys, and 4.5 ft (1.4 m) above MSL near Jewfish Creek in Key Largo.

Although the Florida Keys likely experienced hurricane-force winds, the highest observed sustained wind speed was a 2-minute average of 71 mph (114 km/h) at Key West International Airport, though the instrument failed before the strongest winds occurred.
Several locations recorded hurricane-force gusts, including a 133 mph (214 km/h) gust at the Fort Jefferson National Monument on Dry Tortugas with an anemometer height at 75 ft (23 m) above MSL.
On the inhabited islands, wind gusts peaked at 123 mph (198 km/h) on Cudjoe Key.

Throughout unincorporated areas of Monroe County, the hurricane damaged more than 4,100 single-family residences, 20 of which sustained major damage, and 6 experienced complete destruction.
Wilma also damaged roughly 2,500 mobile homes, with 257 suffering substantial impact and 15 being destroyed.
About 90 apartment and condominium units received some degree of impact.
Hundreds of vessels run aground, including 223 boats counted between Key West and Islamorada by November 11.
Storm surge may have damaged as many as 20,000 cars across the Florida Keys.
Damage in Monroe County totaled at least $200 million, a figure which excluded unincorporated areas.
One indirect death occurred in the county during evacuation.

 
Storm surge and above normal tides caused extensive flooding, especially in the lower Florida Keys, with Key West and the lower Florida Keys inundated with up to 3 ft (0.9 m) of water.
High winds and storm surge resulted in major impacts to facilities at Dry Tortugas National Park, with the park office and living quarters experiencing water damage.
The storm also destroyed docking facilities and damaged several boats.
However, Fort Jefferson suffered no major damage.
Approximately 60% of Key West was submerged, with the worst flooding occurring in Bahama Village, Casa Marina, Flagler, Kamien, Southernmost Point, and portions of New Town.
Much of the Old Town historic district, with the exception of the waterfront, did not flood due to its elevation being higher than 8 ft (2.4 m) above sea level.
Coastal flooding destroyed tens of thousands of cars, with a local newspaper referring to Key West and the lower Keys as a "car graveyard."
Approximately 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) of seawater entered many residences, with approximately 690 apartment units, homes, and mobile homes becoming uninhabitable.
The city of Key West experienced roughly $100 million in damage.

On the islands between Stock Island and Big Pine Key, most reported major damage to bulkheads, docks, marinas, and concrete seawalls.
Storm surge caused moderate to major damage to many homes and workplaces in this section of the Florida Keys.
On Boca Chica Key, abnormally high tides destroyed portions of a road at Naval Air Station Key West.
Boy Scout Camp Sawyer and Girl Scout Camp Wesumkee, both located on West Summerland Key, reported slight wind and coastal flood affects.
On Bahia Honda Key, the Calusa Beach area in particular received storm surge impacts, with two picnic shelters undermined and three others destroyed.
Waves also washed sand over the adjacent parking lot and four other picnic shelters.
At the Logger
Wilma caused two storm surge events in the Florida Keys, with the first occurring several hours before the storm's landfall in Florida and the second beginning just after the hurricane struck the state. Storm tide estimates during the first surge included 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) at Key West above mean sea level (MSL), 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) above MSL elsewhere in the lower Florida Keys, 3 ft (0.91 m) above MSL in middle Florida Keys (including Marathon), and 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) above MSL in the upper Florida Keys. The second event was more severe and caused the worst coastal flooding in the Florida Keys since Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Key West recorded a storm tide of 6.5 ft (2.0 m) above MSL in the second event. Estimates elsewhere included tides of 5–8 ft (1.5–2.4 m) above MSL between Boca Chica Key and Big Pine Key, 5–8 ft (1.5–2.4 m) above MSL in the middle Florida Keys, and 4.5 ft (1.4 m) above MSL near Jewfish Creek in Key Largo.
Although the Florida Keys likely experienced hurricane-force winds, the highest observed sustained wind speed was a 2-minute average of 71 mph (114 km/h) at Key West International Airport, though the instrument failed before the strongest winds occurred. Several locations recorded hurricane-force gusts, including a 133 mph (214 km/h) gust at the Fort Jefferson National Monument on Dry Tortugas with an anemometer height at 75 ft (23 m) above MSL. On the inhabited islands, wind gusts peaked at 123 mph (198 km/h) on Cudjoe Key.
Throughout unincorporated areas of Monroe County, the hurricane damaged more than 4,100 single-family residences, 20 of which sustained major damage, and 6 experienced complete destruction. Wilma also damaged roughly 2,500 mobile homes, with 257 suffering substantial impact and 15 being destroyed. About 90 apartment and condominium units received some degree of impact. Hundreds of vessels run aground, including 223 boats counted between Key West and Islamorada by November 11. Storm surge may have damaged as many as 20,000 cars across the Florida Keys. Damage in Monroe County totaled at least $200 million, a figure which excluded unincorporated areas. One indirect death occurred in the county during evacuation.
 
Storm surge and above normal tides caused extensive flooding, especially in the lower Florida Keys, with Key West and the lower Florida Keys inundated with up to 3 ft (0.9 m) of water. High winds and storm surge resulted in major impacts to facilities at Dry Tortugas National Park, with the park office and living quarters experiencing water damage. The storm also destroyed docking facilities and damaged several boats. However, Fort Jefferson suffered no major damage. Approximately 60% of Key West was submerged, with the worst flooding occurring in Bahama Village, Casa Marina, Flagler, Kamien, Southernmost Point, and portions of New Town. Much of the Old Town historic district, with the exception of the waterfront, did not flood due to its elevation being higher than 8 ft (2.4 m) above sea level. Coastal flooding destroyed tens of thousands of cars, with a local newspaper referring to Key West and the lower Keys as a "car graveyard." Approximately 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) of seawater entered many residences, with approximately 690 apartment units, homes, and mobile homes becoming uninhabitable. The city of Key West experienced roughly $100 million in damage.
On the islands between Stock Island and Big Pine Key, most reported major damage to bulkheads, docks, marinas, and concrete seawalls. Storm surge caused moderate to major damage to many homes and workplaces in this section of the Florida Keys. On Boca Chica Key, abnormally high tides destroyed portions of a road at Naval Air Station Key West. Boy Scout Camp Sawyer and Girl Scout Camp Wesumkee, both located on West Summerland Key, reported slight wind and coastal flood affects. On Bahia Honda Key, the Calusa Beach area in particular received storm surge impacts, with two picnic shelters undermined and three others destroyed. Waves also washed sand over the adjacent parking lot and four other picnic shelters. At the Logger
Effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida