Lee County was devastated by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, the deadliest Florida hurricane since 1935, killing over 100 people in the county alone. Fort Myers Beach was nearly completely destroyed. Ian made landfall as a Category 4 with storm surge exceeding 15 feet in some areas. The county is still recovering from one of the costliest disasters in US history.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 9 / 10 Critical Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Storm Surge |
| Secondary Hazard | Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone VE (Critical Risk) |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 62 |
| Last Major Event | Hurricane Ian (2022) |
| Event Frequency | Major event every 3–5 years |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (239) 533-0622 |
| Emergency Shelters | 32 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-75 North, US-41 North, SR-80 East |
// County Profile
| County | Lee County FL |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Population | 760,822 |
| Area | 804 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Zone VE (Critical Risk) |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Florida Counties
Monroe County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
10/10
Critical
Miami-Dade County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Bay County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Pinellas County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Charlotte County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Broward County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
8/10
High