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Lehigh Acres, Florida: natural disaster risk

How exposed Lehigh Acres is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Lee County.

Relatively High overall risk
132,353people
Hurricanetop hazard
43federal declarations, Lee County
131tornadoes in the county since 1950
27hurricanes within 65 miles since 1859
Photo: Tobias Scheck from Chemnitz, CC BY 2.0

Lehigh Acres is a community of 132,353 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 Lehigh Acres

Full Lee County report ›

Hurricane

Very High
$300 million a year in the county
  • 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.
$95.2 million a year in the county
  • 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.
$13.8 million a year in the county
  • 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

HazardRatingA year
HurricaneVery High$300M
Inland floodingHigh$95M
Coastal floodingVery High$14M
LightningVery High$8M
WildfireModerate$5M
TornadoModerate$5M
Heat waveModerate$3M
Cold waveModerate$2M
Strong windModerate$648K
DroughtLow$131K
EarthquakeVery Low$80K
HailVery Low$69K

Homes in Lehigh Acres

Median home value$292,400
Lee County median$362,200
Median year built2003
Built before 198016%
Mobile homes0.5%

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

1960F21 killed
2022EF2 near Punta Rassa
1986F212 hurt

Common questions about Lehigh Acres

Is Lehigh Acres safe from natural disasters?

Lehigh Acres 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 Lehigh Acres?

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 Lehigh Acres 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 Lehigh Acres?

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.