Cape Coral, Florida: natural disaster risk
How exposed Cape Coral is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Lee County.
Cape Coral is a city of 215,536 people in Lee County, Florida. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lee County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are hurricane, inland flooding and coastal flooding, with about $433 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 641 storm reports in the county since 1953, including 131 tornadoes and 50 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 27 hurricanes and 39 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 11 of them major. About 24.2% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Lee County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Cape Coral
Full Lee County report ›- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Learn your evacuation zone; it is set by surge risk, not by distance from the beach.
- Ask about flood insurance even outside a mapped high-risk zone.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | $300M | |
| Inland flooding | $95M | |
| Coastal flooding | $14M | |
| Lightning | $8M | |
| Wildfire | $5M | |
| Tornado | $5M | |
| Heat wave | $3M | |
| Cold wave | $2M | |
| Strong wind | $648K | |
| Drought | $131K | |
| Earthquake | $80K | |
| Hail | $69K |
Homes in Cape Coral
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Lee County
Common questions about Cape Coral
Is Cape Coral safe from natural disasters?
Cape Coral is in Lee County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are hurricane, inland flooding, coastal flooding. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Cape Coral?
By expected yearly losses in Lee County, the top hazards are hurricane (Very High), inland flooding (High), coastal flooding (Very High). Lee County has been part of 43 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Cape Coral get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 131 tornadoes in Lee County since 1950; the strongest was an F2 tornado on October 31, 1960. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county moderate.
Do I need flood insurance in Cape Coral?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Lee County, about 24.2% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.