riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Lee County Disaster Risk

Lee County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

99th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

97th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lee County, Florida

Lee County faces highest disaster risks nationally

Lee County's composite risk score of 99.05 with a 'Relatively High' rating places it among the nation's most hazard-exposed counties. The county experiences near-maximal risk across hurricane, flood, and wildfire categories, representing an exceptional disaster vulnerability.

Highest-risk county in Florida

Lee County's score of 99.05 significantly exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 and ranks as the state's most dangerous county for natural disasters. This top-of-the-list status demands extraordinary preparedness from residents and emergency management agencies.

Southwest Florida faces severe collective risk

Lee County's 99.05 score exceeds fellow high-risk neighbors like Manatee County (97.55) and Levy County (66.09), making it the epicenter of Florida's disaster vulnerability. The concentration of extreme risk in southwest Florida reflects the region's exposure to Atlantic hurricanes, storm surge, and coastal flooding.

Hurricane and flood risks are critical

Lee County's hurricane risk of 99.92 and flood risk of 97.40 are nearly maximal, reflecting the county's coastal exposure and low elevation. Storm surge, wind damage, and precipitation flooding represent immediate, severe threats during Atlantic hurricane season.

Flood and hurricane insurance are mandatory

Lee County homeowners face a regulatory and practical mandate: flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and comprehensive hurricane/wind coverage are essential investments. Elevation, impact-resistant windows, reinforced roofing, and regular maintenance are the difference between recovery and disaster for properties in this highest-risk county.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    100th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    97th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    97th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lee County

Risk Verdict

FEMA's National Risk Index places Lee County at the 99th percentile nationally — in the high-risk bracket for U.S. counties. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (97th percentile), tornado (88th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 100th percentile nationally makes Lee County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Lee County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Flood at the 97th percentile nationally is Lee County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Lee County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Lee County is 23.3 composite risk points above the Florida average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Lee County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lee County, FL?
Lee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 99th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Lee County?
Lee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (100th percentile), flooding (97th percentile), wildfire (97th percentile), tornado (88th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 100th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Lee County risk compare to the Florida average?
Lee County's composite risk percentile is 99th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Lee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lee County's hurricane risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lee County is at the 97th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Lee County higher risk than average?
Lee County's composite risk score of 99th percentile is above the Florida state average of 76th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Collier County

Florida

-0.1

Relatively High

99th percentile

Palm Beach County

Florida

+0.2

Relatively High

99th percentile

Hillsborough County

Florida

-0.2

Relatively High

99th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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