Cape Coral, FL Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Cape Coral was ranked the number one flood risk city in the U.S. by First Street Foundation based on the number of properties at substantial risk. Hurricane Ian in 2022 caused catastrophic flooding across the city, as the extensive canal system backed up during record storm surge.
Lee County has recorded 48,493 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $4.0B in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 4
NFIP Policies
154,088
Lee County
Avg. Premium
$1,571/yr
Lee County
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Lee County
Properties in Lee County have filed 48,493 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.0B in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $82K.
Highest-Claim Years
2022
28,889 claims - $3.4B
2024
7,322 claims - $419.3M
2004
4,280 claims - $45.6M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Lee County
Only roughly 1 in 2 households in Lee County carries NFIP flood insurance (51% of estimated households).
Penetration Rate
51%
roughly 1 in 2 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 3
48,493 claims over 45+ years across 154,088 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$81,550
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Lee County has averaged 1 claim for every 3 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Cape Coral.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Lee County
Lee County has 4,098 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 624 severe repetitive loss properties. 54 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
4,098
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
624
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
54
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 4,089 of 4,098 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Cape Coral
Cape Coral participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 5
SFHA Premium Discount
25% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Cape Coral's Class 5 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Lee County
Lee County has been included in 23 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 15 earlier declarations since 1995.
These declarations affected communities across Lee County, including Cape Coral.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Lee County
NOAA has recorded 50 flood events in Lee County since 1996, causing $503.3M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Lee County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 321 properties in Lee County, investing $35.9M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Lee County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $95.2M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $13.8M
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $300.4M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Cape Coral
Cape Coral is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Cape Coral are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $95.2M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Cape Coral's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Cape Coral are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Cape Coral address.
Cape Coral, FL Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Cape Coral, FL?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Cape Coral are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Cape Coral?
If your Cape Coral property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Cape Coral?
Enter your Cape Coral address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Cape Coral offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Cape Coral participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 5 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 25% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Has Cape Coral experienced major flooding events?
Lee County, where Cape Coral is located, has been part of 23 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Milton in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Cape Coral?
Lee County has recorded 48,493 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.0B in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2022, with 28,889 claims and $3.4B in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Cape Coral.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Cape Coral?
Lee County had 154,088 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $1,571. The most policies are in Zone AE (120,949 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Cape Coral properties have flooded repeatedly?
Lee County has 4,098 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 624 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Cape Coral property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Cape Coral?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Cape Coral's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Florida Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
See the Flood Map for Any Cape Coral, FL Address
Enter a Cape Coral, FL address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.