More hazard damage per building is expected in Iona than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iona gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #520 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (78%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1,697 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Iona’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Iona faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Iona’s grade
Hurricanes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iona, and Iona’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #520 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Iona’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Iona has more expected damage per building than 81% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.3M a year in losses across Iona: $10.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iona flood? Yes: 1,697 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Iona, from FEMA’s records: 128.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian1,646 claims · $254M
- Hurricane Milton9 claims · $435K
- Hurricane Irma5 claims · $83K
Iona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Iona
Disasters that paid out in Iona itself (aid to households or repair grants to Iona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $83K
Lee County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lee County, 1999–2017.
Old photos of Iona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iona archive →Iona and its neighbors
Iona is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGregor | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 692 |
| Iona | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 1,697 |
| Punta Rassa | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 393 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Iona faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Iona
Is Iona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iona has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #520 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (78%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Iona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,697 claims in Iona since 1978, $256M in all, or 128.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (1,646).
Is Iona in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Lee County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 24.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Iona’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Iona?
By FEMA money that reached Iona, Hurricane Irma (2017): 8 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 1,646 paid, $254M.
Is Iona at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Iona’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iona’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.